The 2026 ACC Baseball Tournament concluded on Saturday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets captured the championship with a 13‑6 victory over the Tar Heels. The win marked a dramatic turnaround after a tightly contested first two innings, setting the stage for a decisive offensive outburst.
Drew Burress was the centerpiece of the offense, launching a two‑run homer in the third that not only broke the school record but also ignited a five‑run burst that put Georgia Tech ahead 6‑1. The blast, his 58th career homer, eclipsed the previous mark of 57 and underscored his status as the program’s all‑time power hitter.
Alex Hernandez added a 3‑for‑4 performance with four RBIs, while Ryan Zuckerman contributed his team‑leading 23rd home run of the season. On the mound, a quartet of pitchers — Caden Gaudette, Justin Shadek, Cooper Underwood and Mason Patel — combined to limit North Carolina to a single unearned run over the final five innings, sealing the win.
The Path Forward for the Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech’s 13‑6 final tally featured five runs in the third, two in the sixth, three in the seventh and two in the eighth, a sequence that never allowed the Tar Heels to mount a comeback after the early lead. The offensive onslaught was complemented by solid defense, with Kent Schmidt delivering a key defensive play that capped the championship effort.
The victory positions the Yellow Jackets as strong contenders for the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, a prospect that has energized fans and analysts alike. Coach Jason Varitek praised the team’s resilience, noting that the championship “validates the work we’ve put in all season.”
With the ACC title secured, Georgia Tech now turns its attention to the regional and super‑regional rounds, where the stakes will be higher and the competition tougher. The team’s recent surge, anchored by Burress’s record‑breaking performance, suggests they could be a formidable force when the national stage arrives.