The UNC baseball team must be tired by now. On Wednesday night, North Carolina played its fifth game in six days, hosting the Longwood Lancers in a mid-week non-conference clash.
The Diamond Heels faced little resistance on Tuesday, blanking Richmond 10-0 in a mercy-rule, 7-inning clash. UNC roared back from two runs down to walk off Indiana in Game 3 on Saturday, securing the sweep, but previously dominated the Hoosiers in Games 1 and 2.
North Carolina endured a tougher-than-expected contest Wednesday, but still emerged with a 5-3 win against Longwood, extending its perfect start to 2026.
The Diamond Heels (5-0) jumped on the Lancers (3-1) early, striking a major blow with four first-inning runs. Left fielder Michael Maginnis and catcher Colin Hynek each mashed 2-run singles, combining to drive in Jake Schaffner, Macon Winslow, Erik Paulsen and Michael Maginnis.
Longwood started closing its deficit in the second, scoring on a Hynek throwing error. Three innings later, Mac Tufts drove in a second run, followed by a 7th-inning single that shrunk UNC’s lead to 4-3.
Takin care of business 💼#GoHeels x @WellsFargopic.twitter.com/3gr7uXIitQ
— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) February 19, 2026
North Carolina gave itself a little breathing room in the seventh, when Hynek doubled down right field and drove Maginnis in. The Diamond Heels then quieted the Lancers’ bats, blanking them in innings eight and nine, with closer Matthew Matthijs securing his first save.
Longwood entered Wednesday’s game undefeated, sweeping NJIT in its opening weekend series, so UNC didn’t face a pushover opponent. Nonetheless, North Carolina got another solid, early-season test that prepares it for a tough weekend against in-state rival ECU.
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This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire: UNC survives early-season scare from Longwood, wins 5-3 on Wednesday
