Checking in on North Carolina's top college baseball teams after March Madness

With March Madness and college basketball season behind us, it’s time to turn our attention to the diamond and North Carolina’s college baseball teams.

Duke, East Carolina, UNC and Wake Forest are included in the latest USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, which is released weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of 31 head coaches at Division I schools.

NC State dropped out of the poll recently and Campbell has consistently received votes. Both are capable of strong finishes in the regular season.

Entering the week of April 15, the Selection Show for the Road to Omaha and the College World Series is just under a month and a half away.

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Before May 27 arrives, here’s a look at where the state’s top college baseball teams stand and what they’ve done so far in the 2024 season.

Duke baseball

Chris Pollard has reached 750 career wins and the Blue Devils (26-10, 11-7 ACC) looked primed to repeat the success they had last season as NCAA Tournament regional champions with a super regional appearance.

Ben Miller, a graduate transfer from Penn, has been incredible at the plate in his first season at Duke. Miller, a Durham native, has a .452 batting average, 61 hits, 34 RBIs and nine home runs through 33 games. But Duke’s strength is its pitching depth, led by left-hander Jonathan Santucci (5-0, 2.86 ERA, 71 strikeouts).

UNC baseball

The Tar Heels are on an all-time tear at Boshamer Stadium after winning a program-record 27th straight home game over the weekend. UNC (29-7, 14-4 ACC), which has won 23 in a row this season in Chapel Hill, has a balanced bunch on track to host in the NCAA Tournament.

With 20 stolen bases and 12 home runs, outfielder Vance Honeycutt remains the headliner for the Heels. But UNC has six players with a batting average above .300, led by Casey Cook (.363 batting average, 53 hits, 10 home runs, 51 RBIs). Pitching has been a staff-wide effort led by lefty Kyle Percival (4-0, 1.80 ERA).

ECU baseball

Cliff Godwin has another loaded East Carolina squad capable of breaking through as the first in program history to reach Omaha. The Pirates (27-8, 8-4 AAC) are once again showing how tough it is to beat them at Clark-LeClair Stadium, winning 17 of their first 19 games in Greenville.

ECU is getting incredible production from senior Carter Cunningham (.400 batting average, 54 hits, 41 RBIs, 9 home runs) and sophomore left-handed ace Zach Root (5-0, 2.68 ERA, 60 strikeouts.

Wake Forest baseball

The Demon Deacons (24-11, 9-9 ACC) started the season as the top-ranked team in the nation, but that level of dominance hasn’t been present for Wake Forest to this point in the season. Still, the talent is undeniable.

Nick Kurtz, who has 13 home runs in the last nine games, is on a heater as one of the top players in the country. Kurtz is one of six Deacs with a batting average better than .311, led by Jack Winnay (.350 batting average, 13 home runs, 39 RBIs). Chase Burns (7-1, 3.00 ERA, 105 strikeouts) and Josh Hartle (4-1, 5.52 ERA, 49 strikeouts) are the stars on the mound.

NC State baseball

Coming off a series victory against second-ranked Clemson, the Wolfpack (20-13, 10-8 ACC) might be starting to find its groove at the right time. Garrett Pennington (.360 batting average) and Alex Makarewicz (.356 batting average) have combined for 23 home runs as NC State’s leaders at the plate. Shane Van Dam (4-0, 2.63 ERA) and Sam Highfill (3-1, 4.71 ERA) have paced the Pack as its top pitchers.

UNC Wilmington baseball

Randy Hood’s Seahawks (23-13, 10-2 CAA) are hot as winners of five in a row, including a win against NC State. Tanner Thach (.333 batting average, 49 hits, 19 home runs, 48 RBIs) is one of four UNCW players with at least a .314 batting average. Veteran pitchers Zane Taylor (4-0, 3.53 ERA, 47 strikeouts) and RJ Sales (6-2, 3.59 ERA, 50 strikeouts) are doing the heavy lifting on the bump.

Campbell baseball

It’s no surprise, but the Camels (23-11, 6-6 CAA) have held their own in their first season as part of the Coastal Athletic Association. Another challenging nonconference slate for Justin Haire’s club should put Campbell in position for postseason success. Lawson Harrill (.361 batting average, 43 hits, 14 home runs, 31 RBIs) and Cole Peschl (2-2, 4.76 ERA, 55 strikeouts) have been among the Camels’ top performers.

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: College baseball: Duke, UNC, ECU off to solid starts