Jake Knapp wasn't the only Diamond Heel recognized by the ACC today. Seven UNC baseball players were selected for All-ACC team slots, three on the first team, two on the second team, one on the third team, and one on the All-Freshman team.
Knapp was a shoe-in for All-ACC First Team after earning ACC Pitcher of the Year. He is joined by fellow Tar Heels Luke Stevenson and Hunter Stokely. Catcher Stevenson has had a remarkable sophomore season. He leads the team in home runs (16), has driven in 47 runs, and improved his slugging and on-base percentages from his phenomenal freshman season.
Stokely, in his fifth and final season in Chapel Hill, has career highs in at-bats (201), hits (67), home runs (12), RBIs (53), and slugging percentage (.562). He's also a superior defensive player, helping relievers holding on for dear life with his streeeetching catches at first.
Sophomore starting pitcher Jason DeCaro was on the All-ACC Second Team after posting improved ERA (3.38, down 0.43 from last season), wins (8, +2 from last season), hits against (60, -14 from last season), walks (22, -22 from last season), and earned runs (26, -12 from last season). DeCaro has made the third day start his own, and is a solid rotation piece with room to grow into an ace.
Junior centerfielder and Liberty transfer Kane Kepley was never going to replace Vance Honeycutt, but he has made a lasting impression all on his own. UNC's second All-ACC Second Teamer, Kepley has been an excellent leadoff hitter, getting on base by hook or crook. In 192 at-bats, he's reached first base 119 times, accumulating 56 hits, and getting hit by 24 pitches. All that endeavor has led to 61 runs, a boon to the Carolina offense.
Team co-captain and utility infielder Jackson Van De Brake landed on the All-ACC Third Team. He batted .309, mashing 59 hits for 5 home runs, 45 RBIs, an scoring 42 runs.
Freshman relief pitcher Walker McDuffie made the All-ACC All-Freshman Team, not because he looks like he'd beat you up in a street fight, but because he'll strike you out in a tough spot. McDuffie had a 3-1 record, with a 3.28 ERA. He struck out 59 batters, nearly twice as many punch outs as he surrendered hits (30). He also only gave up 18 walks, giving him a 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio, a great margin for a reliever.
As UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis said, "winning brings you the rewards and awards." Scott Forbes can attest to that, as his high-flying Diamond Heels are poised for a top-eight finish, which would let North Carolina host a super regional. His players have gotten the recognition they deserve for such a terrific season. It's not over yet, starting with the ACC Tournament in Durham. The Tar Heels play on Friday, taking on the winner of Virginia vs Notre Dame/Boston College.