UNC Baseball Coach Scott Forbes Prepares for Decisive Game 3 After Victory Over USC

North Carolina extended its season on Saturday with a decisive 4-0 victory against USC in Game 2 of the super regional, thanks to a stellar complete-game shutout by Jason DeCaro. This win sets the stage for a crucial Game 3, scheduled for tomorrow at 3 p.m., putting the Tar Heels one step away from the College World Series under head coach Scott Forbes. Meanwhile, USC is vying for its first trip to Omaha in over 25 years, facing elimination in the upcoming match.

In his post-game remarks, Forbes praised DeCaro’s impressive performance, stating, “How about this big guy (Jason DeCaro)? I’ve been saying forever, I’m going to try not to cry, but Jason DeCaro, since the day he walked on campus, since the day he trusted us and gave up his high school senior year, he’s been nothing but phenomenal, and saved that biggest complete game for a big, big moment. So I’m most excited for him, that was a big win.”

Forbes also highlighted Cooper Nicholson’s critical defensive play in the sixth inning, noting the challenges of playing third base. He expressed admiration for Nicholson's skills, stating, “Third base is a hard position to play. The ball’s on you quick, you have to learn to play lower. (Nicholson) embraced the heck out of it, man. He has made some unbelievable plays for us all season...”

Looking ahead to Game 3, Forbes indicated a collaborative approach with his coaching staff regarding the pitching decision. “I really trust my coaches. We trust each other. We’ll talk tonight. We’ll meet in the morning,” he shared. “We’re going to start either Caden Glauber or Folger Boaz – one of those two.” He also expressed confidence in Walker McDuffie to contribute effectively, adding humorously, “I’ll probably make that decision in the morning, after about four cups of coffee.”

This pivotal matchup is poised to be a defining moment for both teams as they strive for advancement in the tournament.