Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch are heading to Japan!
The duo of pitchers from the UNC baseball program have earned spots on the 2025 Collegiate National Team. They will will compete in the 45th annual USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series in various locations across Japan from July 8-13.
Got our 2⃣6⃣ guys. The 2025 Collegiate National Team roster is HERE.
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 4, 2025
📰https://t.co/UK9uEpprgn pic.twitter.com/ntNEKT5URA
Competing for the Collegiate National Team isn't new to DeCaro, as he also represented the United States last year. For Lynch, this marks his first time he'll be wearing the Red, White and Blue uniform, as he earned a spot after a strong performance in the Stars versus Stripes series.
DeCaro put together a strong outing on Thursday, throwing three shutout innings.
Jason DeCaro on the bump tonight 🎯
— USA Baseball CNT (@USABaseballCNT) July 4, 2025
3.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 2 K pic.twitter.com/macSXjOPnh
Lynch made an appearance in Game 5 of the series on Wednesday, as his dominant two innings of work seemed to have sealed the deal on him making the roster.
Strong showing by @DiamondHeels righty Ryan Lynch in Game 5 of @USABaseballCNT's Stars & Stripes Series on Wednesday.
— Pat James (@patjames24) July 3, 2025
2 IP
0 R
2 H (both singles)
1 BB
5 K
The rising sophomore's fastball was up to 96 mph. He logged six called strikes and eight whiffs on 40 pitches (35 CSW%). pic.twitter.com/09SBPscAiY
Two of the best right-handed pitchers that the country has to offer, the UNC baseball program is fortunate to have both of them on their pitching staff. Both pitchers hope to gain some valuable experience on their upcoming trip to Japan before heading back to Chapel Hill to gear up for another season with the Diamond Heels this spring.
Here is the full 26-man roster that have earned spots on Team USA:
2025 Collegiate National Team
*Eric Becker - INF/OF - Virginia
Tyler Bell - INF - Kentucky
*Drew Burress - OF - Georgia Tech
Roch Cholowsky - INF - UCLA
*Jason DeCaro - RHP – North Carolina
*Jacob Dudan - RHP - NC State
*Gabe Gaeckle - RHP - Arkansas
Cole Gibler - LHP - Arkansas
*AJ Gracia - OF - Virginia
Ryder Helfrick - C - Arkansas
Ethan Kleinschmit - LHP - Oregon State
Vahn Lackey - C - Georgia Tech
Mulivai Levu - INF - UCLA
Ryan Lynch - RHP – North Carolina
Ryan Marohn - LHP - NC State
*Ryan McPherson - RHP - Mississippi State
Lucas Moore - OF - Louisville
Blake Morningstar - RHP - Wake Forest
Ethan Norby - LHP - ECU
Ricky Ojeda - LHP - UC Irvine
*Liam Peterson - RHP - Florida
Ace Reese - INF/OF - Mississippi State
Chris Rembert - INF - Auburn
*Brett Renfrow - RHP - Virginia Tech
*Zion Rose - OF - Louisville
Dax Whitney - RHP - Oregon State
* USA Baseball alum