DeCaro and Lynch invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp

Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch are set to put on the red, white, and blue this summer.

The UNC baseball program's duo of right-handed pitchers have been selected to participate in USA Baseball's annual Collegiate National Team Training Camp. They are two of 56 non-draft-eligible college players invited to the training camp, which will be held from June 29 to July 3.

A five-game intrasquad series, the Stars vs. Stripes, will be played before USA Baseball names the final Collegiate National Team. The first game of the intrasquad series will be held at Atrium Health Ballpark, located in Kannapolis, North Carolina, on June 29, while the next trio of games will be played at USA Baseball's National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, from June 30 to July 2. The series finale will shift over to Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

DeCaro has been a key piece of the UNC baseball program's starting rotation throughout his first two seasons on campus. After Jake Knapp went down with a season-ending injury a year ago, DeCaro worked his way up to be the Tar Heels' Friday night starter, putting together some impressive outings as a true freshman. This past season, DeCaro spent time as both the team's No. 2 and No. 3 starter, providing some key innings in some big-time situations.

Heading into his junior season, DeCaro has provided enough evidence for everyone to realize why he's expected to hear his name called early in the 2026 MLB Draft.

As for Lynch, it didn't take long for him to become a main contributor on the Tar Heels' pitching staff. He quickly went from being one of the first arms called upon out of the bullpen to starting during postseason play, as he was outstanding in both roles.

Lynch was given the ball in the ACC Tournament finals, Chapel Hill Regional finals as well as the Super Regional finals. We know that Scott Forbes truly trusted his freshman right-hander, regardless of how big the situation was!

Although North Carolina faltered, Lynch's final outing of his freshman season was one that Tar Heel fans hope to see more of in the future. Against Arizona in the Super Regional winner-take-all game, Lynch pitched into the eighth inning, leaving the game with his team holding a 3-1 lead.

The UNC baseball program has had an influx of pitching talent over the past few seasons, as DeCaro and Lynch are two of the bright spots of the pitching staff heading into the 2026 season. Before we get to that point, both right-handers aim to earn a spot on Team USA, as this opportunity to even compete in the training camp series is an experience that will benefit them both greatly.