DeCaro's Game-Saving Shutout
UNC Ace Jason DeCaro Pitches Historic Shutout, Forces Decisive Game 3 in Super Regional
Facing elimination in a best-of-three Super Regional against USC, North Carolina ace Jason DeCaro delivered a complete-game shutout, overpowering the Trojans with a dominant performance that included limiting them to essentially no scoring threats. The victory—his first career complete game—forced a winner-take-all Game 3 on Sunday and kept UNC’s season alive with a trip to Omaha at stake. DeCaro’s start marked a rare postseason shutout in program history and featured a remarkable ability to prevent USC runners from advancing into dangerous positions. After saving the season, DeCaro emphasized the importance of UNC fans showing up in force for the decisive game, urging Tar Heel supporters to be loud and proud as the team looks to clinch Omaha. Coaches also highlighted how the performance ranked among the best they’ve seen during DeCaro’s time in Chapel Hill, underscoring the magnitude of the moment.
Key Points
DeCaro’s shutout was the first postseason shutout by a Tar Heel since Kent Emanuel’s 2011 College World Series shutout of Texas—and DeCaro also “didn't even allow any runners to reach second base.”
UNC’s ace kept his command deep into the game, producing a complete-game two-hitter while forcing 14 two-strike (0-2) counts, according to the game recap.
Head coach Scott Forbes said DeCaro’s outing ranked “at the top” in his 20-year UNC tenure, adding: “When you're in an elimination game and there's this much on the line, I can't off the top of my head think of anybody that's gone out there and thrown a CG since I've been here.”
North Carolina likely had to rely on the bullpen in Game 3 because DeCaro threw 117 pitches in Game 2; one report noted DeCaro “most likely won't toe the rubber” on Sunday after his heavy workload.
The NCAA highlights also credit DeCaro with an 8-strikeout total while completing the shutout, underscoring the combination of dominance and efficiency he showed in Game 2.
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