Regional Opener Set for Friday
The NCAA baseball Chapel Hill regional begins on Friday, May 29, with a 12 p.m. ET contest at Boshamer Stadium on the University of North Carolina campus. Tennessee and East Carolina will meet in the first game of a multi‑day tournament that runs through early June.
Tennessee enters the regional fresh off a College World Series title two years ago and boasts a potent lineup anchored by MLB Draft prospect Henry Ford, who has already hit 19 home runs and driven in 56 runs this season. Complementing Ford is pitcher Tegan Kuhns, whose 3.39 ERA and 100 strikeouts make him a reliable arm for the Vols.
East Carolina, a program with a storied tournament pedigree but never having reached the College World Series, counters with senior Jack Herring, who posts a .498 on‑base percentage and a .358 batting average, and left‑hander Ethan Norby, who has fanned 120 batters in 83.2 innings. The Pirates’ blend of contact hitting and strikeout pitching makes them a formidable opponent.
Broadcast and Streaming Details
The game will be televised live on ESPNU, with play‑by‑play from Mike Monaco and color commentary by former All‑American Ben McDonald. Fans who prefer digital viewing can stream the action through the ESPN app or via fubo, which is offering a free trial for new subscribers.
Beyond this opening matchup, the Chapel Hill regional schedule features a series of games from May 29 through June 1, each with its own broadcast slot and streaming options. The outcomes will shape the next round of play and ultimately determine which team advances toward the College World Series.