UNC Baseball Score Today: Why You Won’t Find a Box Score Just Yet

If you are frantically refreshing your feed looking for the unc baseball score today, I have some news that might be a little frustrating but is actually pretty standard for this time of year. Honestly, there is no score.

It is January 16, 2026. While the air in Chapel Hill might be starting to feel like it’s time for the crack of the bat, the Diamond Heels haven't actually taken the field for a meaningful game yet. College baseball operates on a very specific rhythm. Right now, we are in the "First Pitch" season—the calm before the storm.

✨ Don't miss: The FIFA Men’s Soccer World Cup: Why We Can’t Stop Watching (and What Most People Get Wrong)

The guys are definitely working. Head coach Scott Forbes and the crew are likely grinding through individual workouts and team practices at Boshamer Stadium, but the first official entry in the 2026 win-loss column is still a few weeks away.

When does the 2026 UNC baseball season actually start?

Mark your calendars for Friday, February 13, 2026. That is the real Opening Day. The Tar Heels are scheduled to host Indiana at the Bosh to kick off a three-game weekend series.

Usually, people get antsy around mid-January because the preseason rankings start dropping. Just a few days ago, on January 12, D1Baseball released their Preseason Top 25, and North Carolina landed at No. 11. That is a solid starting point for a team that is coming off an ACC Championship and a deep run into the Super Regionals last year.

Basically, the "score" today is more about recruiting and fundraising than runs and hits. Speaking of which, the program just announced a massive $9 million anonymous gift during their First Pitch Dinner on January 10. That kind of support is what keeps the program at the top of the ACC, even when the scoreboard is dark.

The 2026 Opening Weekend Schedule

Since you're clearly ready for some ball, here is what that first series looks like:

• Friday, Feb 13 vs. Indiana (4:00 PM ET)
• Saturday, Feb 14 vs. Indiana (12:00 PM ET)
• Sunday, Feb 15 vs. Indiana (1:00 PM ET)

What to expect from the Diamond Heels this year

It’s gonna be a different-looking squad than the one that nearly punched a ticket to Omaha last summer. We lost some serious firepower. However, the core of the pitching staff is returning, which is usually the recipe for a deep postseason run in college ball.

🔗 Read more: Bengals 7 Round Mock Draft: The Real Strategy To Save The Joe Burrow Era

Jason DeCaro is the name you’ll hear the most. He’s back for his third year and was recently named a third-team preseason All-American by Perfect Game. Alongside him, sophomores Ryan Lynch and Walker McDuffie are expected to take massive leaps after showing flashes of brilliance as freshmen.

On the dirt, Gavin Gallaher is the lone returning starter among the position players. That’s a lot of turnover. Coach Forbes has been vocal about the transfer class, though. Five of the six new transfers already saw action during the fall ball scrimmages—including a 3-1 win over NC State back in October—and they looked like they belong.

Why the preseason buzz is so high in Chapel Hill

People are obsessed with the unc baseball score today because the expectations have shifted. We aren't just "hoping" to make a regional anymore. Under Forbes, this program has reached the NCAA Tournament five times in five years. They’ve been to the Super Regionals three times.

There is a feeling that 2026 could be the year they break through the ceiling. The ACC is absolutely loaded this year—Georgia Tech is sitting at No. 5 in the preseason and Louisville is at No. 8—so the road won't be easy. But with a $25 million endowment goal in sight and a top-15 preseason ranking, the momentum is undeniably there.

Key Dates for the 2026 Season

1. Feb 20-22: The first big road test against East Carolina.
2. March 6: ACC play opens at home against Virginia.
3. May 14-16: The regular season finale against NC State in Raleigh.

Actionable steps for Tar Heel fans

Since there isn't a game tonight, here is how you can actually prepare for the season:

• Check your streaming access: Most of the early home games will be on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). Make sure your provider hasn't dropped the ball before February 13.
• Grab tickets early: The Indiana series and the later Duke/NC State series will sell out Boshamer Stadium quickly.
• Follow the midweek updates: Once the season starts, the "score today" will often happen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These midweek games against teams like UNCG and Campbell are where the postseason resumes are actually built or broken.

The wait is almost over. In less than a month, you won't be looking at an empty schedule; you'll be looking at a box score.