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Freshman closer: Lee County High grad completes successful first season

UNC’s freshman closer is taking his success in stride.

Maybe that’s fitting since he follows Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Spencer Strider.

Walker McDuffie, a Lee County High School graduate, finished the 2025 season with three wins, three losses, seven saves and a 3.74 ERA. He made 28 appearances, including 72 strikeouts and 25 walks for the Tar Heels.

“It was a pretty good experience,” he said Wednesday.

“He had a great freshman year,” his mother Donna McDuffie said, not sparing praise.

Walker said he really didn’t have any expectations going into the year, adding that he only wanted to help.