Stony Brook's star baseball player is now headed to North Carolina.
The Tar Heels have gotten a commitment from sophomore first baseman Erik Paulsen. The Massapequa native was considered one of the top players in the portal.
Paulsen is a rare two-way player as well. He has seen some action out of the bullpen for the Seawolves, pitching an impressive 52 1/3 innings for the squad. However, most believe his bat is too valuable and he should be a position player only for UNC.
After hitting .299 as a freshman, he followed that up with a .358 average, to go along with 9 home runs while driving in 44 runs. Paulsen also adds a throwback style to his game as he struck out just 12 times over 193 plate appearances. That goes along with his excellent eye that produced 25 walks and 10 HBP. He also won Defensive Player of the Year with a .995 FLD%.
Paulsen’s combination of contact hitting, patience, and defensive prowess makes him a highly sought-after recruit for the Tar Heels. Coaches praised his work ethic, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure. His experience as a two-way player gives UNC flexibility in managing their lineup and pitching rotation.
With Hunter Stokley set to exhaust his college eligibility, the UNC baseball program had a future hole at first base. Paulsen looks to fill that hole for the Heels and become an integral part of their lineup for years to come.