UNCW and Northeastern get underway in the NCAA Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon. 

The CAA has two representatives in the 64-team event for the first time since 2018.

CAA Baseball at the NCAA Regionals Baseball 

The Seahawks (34-21) face Duke in the first game of the Conway Regional (Costal Carolina) at 1 p.m., while the Huskies (44-14) take on Maryland in the opening game of the Winston-Salem, Regional (Wake Forest) at 1p.m. 

Both contests will air on ESPN+.

CAA Baseball Standings

UNCW captured its seventh CAA championship last Sunday and is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time in the past 20 years. 

⚾️ Raise that #CAAChamps 🏆 @UNCWBaseball pic.twitter.com/LV8OI91Tah

— Colonial Athletic Association (@CAASports) May 29, 2023

UNCW Baseball Roster 2023

The Seahawks, who are riding a six-game winning streak, are led offensively by third baseman Jac Croom (.363, 7 HR, 34 RBIs), outfielder Trevor Marsh (.321, 11 HR, 47 RBIs), first baseman Tanner Thach (.290, 15 HR, 67 RBIs) and CAA Tournament MVP Dillon Lifrieri (.304, 10 HR, 40 RBI’s). 

The Seahawks’ pitching staff features starters Zane Taylor (7-2, 3.25) and Jacob Shafer (7-4, 4.46 ERA) and relievers Ethan Chenault (5-2, three saves) and Brett Banks (1-3, eight saves).

⚾️ Roll those HIGHLIGHTS as @UNCWBaseball wins its 3rd #CAAChamps 🏆 in the past 5 tournaments pic.twitter.com/r6rClwR99L

— Colonial Athletic Association (@CAASports) May 28, 2023

Duke (35-21) is in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in 11 years. 

The Blue Devils’ offense is powered by Jay Beshears (.340, 12 HR, 52 RBIs) and Alex Stone (.327, 14 HR, 57 RBIs). Closer James Tallon is 1-1 with 11 saves and a 1.69 ERA.

Other teams in the Conway field include host and No. 10 national seed Coastal Carolina (39-19) and MAAC champion Rider (35-15).

Northeastern earned an at-large berth after setting a program record for victories. 

UNCW Holds Off Northeastern Rally To Claim 2023 CAA Championship

Northeastern Baseball 2023

The Huskies are in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five years and 10th time overall. 

NU’s powerful offense has smacked a school-record 103 home runs this season. 

⬆️ 9 | MIKE. SIROTA. BACK SIDE THREE RUN BOMB 💣

HE FLIPS THE GAME ON ITS HEAD. HUSKIES DOWN ONE WITH NO OUTS.#HowlinHuskies pic.twitter.com/OIuHlDc70U

— Northeastern Baseball (@GoNUbaseball) May 28, 2023

The Huskies are led by outfielders Mike Sirota (.359, 18 HR, 54 RBIs) and Cam Maldonado (.357, 13 HR, 45 RBIs), first baseman Tyler MacGregor (.339, 18 HR, 53 RBIs) and designated hitter Alex Lane (.326, 15 HR, 57 RBIs). 

The Huskies’ pitching staff ranks second nationally with a 3.57 ERA. Aiven Cabral (9-3, 2.26 ERA) and Wyatt Scotti (6-3, 3.80 ERA) anchor the starting staff, while Jake Gigliotti (8-0, 3.02 ERA) and closer Griffin Young (10 saves, 2.15 ERA) top the bullpen.

⬇️ 8 | HAVE. A. DAY.

Jake Gigliotti strikes out all three outs of the eighth.

A solo home run for Elon makes it 14-3, Northeastern on top.#HowlinHuskies pic.twitter.com/phV1rxegpJ

— Northeastern Baseball (@GoNUbaseball) May 28, 2023

Maryland (41-19) is led offensively by Nick Lorusso (.369, 23 HR, 99 RBIs) and Matt Shaw (.347, 23 HR, 67 RBIs). Pitcher Jason Savacool is 8-5 with a 4.30 ERA.

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Other teams in the Winston-Salem field include host and No. 1 national seed Wake Forest (47-10) and Atlantic 10 champion George Mason (34-25).