Do the Tar Heels Have Taste? Breaking Down UNC Baseball’s Walk-Up Songs
The third-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels have dominated this season, earning themselves a seat in the top 25 every week of the regular season. After defeating Boston College, FSU, and Clemson to claim the ACC title on May 25th, it is clear that this team is a force to be reckoned with. The Diamond Heels head into the postseason high on their ACC victory and with the chance to remain in the top three as the possibility of hosting a regional nears. They’re playing like winners. That much is obvious, but do they sound like winners? Let’s break down the 2025 Heels’ walk-up songs.
Tired and overused:
Tyson Bass’ pick of The Way I Live by Baby Boy Da Prince is on just about every single walk-up song playlist in the NCAA. It lacks everything a good walk-up song should have. The crowd can’t get into it, it’s not exciting, and it’s been done over and over again. Maybe next year, Bass will wow us all with his choice. Ironman by Black Sabbath also falls into this category. While it gets the crowd excited to watch Mitch Wilson on the pitcher's mound, it just doesn’t have the effect it used to. Tired, overused, maybe next year.
Just boring:
The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani is a fan favorite. Alex Madera could’ve done better with this choice, though. It seems like all collegiate baseball players are big fans of Gwen Stefani this season. While the fans love this choice every time they hear it, this choice also lacks originality. Another boring pick is Pump It Up by Endor. Camron Seagraves turns the ballpark into a frat party every time he comes up to bat, and not in a good way. Pump It Up definitely gets the team excited, but at the end of the day, it’s not a crowd favorite, and it’s been done tons of times before. There are better picks on this list.
Almost Good:
Standout catcher Luke Stevenson’s pick of Jersey by Future is just on the cusp of being a solid choice. Rap songs are like country songs, they’re difficult to do well. Choosing a Future song that isn’t all over social media was the right move. It’s intimidating, the crowd gets into it but this pick is still lacking something. With the intimidating offensive talent, Stevenson brings to a game, this song just isn’t the right fit for him.
Now This is a Walkup Song:
Kane Kepley, the Heels’ lead-off hitter, has one of the most unique walk-up songs in college baseball today. The Circle of Life from Disney’s The Lion King has become a Tar Heel fan’s favorite sound lately. Fans hold up their beers, phones, and even stuffed animals made to look like UNC’s mascot Ramses, just like Rafiki holds up Simba over the Pride Lands at the beginning of the film. It’s almost everything a walk-up song should be. This one will be hard to top if he chooses to part ways with it next season.
While Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi has definitely been done a few times before it’s a timeless, crowd pleasing pick. When pitcher Matthew Matthijs takes his place on the pitcher's mound this song does its job. As a pitcher’s walk-up song this choice work’s beautifully. It’s hard to say if it would have the same effect if the crowd were hearing it as he walked up to bat every game.
Perfect. No notes:
It was a struggle to find something to consider perfect on this list, but Many Men by 50 Cent is a stunning choice. It’s a shame fans don’t get to hear it every game, as this pick belongs to pitcher Cameron Padget. However, it almost adds to the effect. It’s crowd-pleasing, intimidating, and unique, and it shows that Padget has taste. The sole perfect song on this list, and honestly, maybe one of the top five best choices for a pitcher in the NCAA this season.
