DURHAM N.C. — In a low scoring affair, NC State baseball dropped its final fall exhibition 3-1 to the North Carolina Tar Heels, falling behind late in the seventh inning and never recovering.
“This shows me we should have done this a long time ago because the value of this for these guys … ,” said head coach Elliott Avent. “They grew up a lot tonight, and [at] the game with Wake Forest in D.C.”
In what is becoming an annual tradition, the Wolfpack played a fall exhibition at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Unlike previous years, the Pack faced the Tar Heels instead of Duke, bringing some extra intensity and a strong showing of both NC State and Carolina fans. The result was a lively fall atmosphere — a valuable experience for players and an exciting night for fans.
“Playing Carolina in front of a big crowd on a Thursday night, with this atmosphere in this ballpark,” Avent said. “Even though you know it’s a fall game, if you’re a player, for these young guys… it’s big for them because they haven’t played in something like this. You can’t tell yourself it’s a fall game cause it didn’t feel like a fall game. The crowd was electric, both teams were obviously trying to win.”
Freshman pitcher Aiden Kitchings started on the mound for the Wolfpack and delivered two scoreless innings and only allowed one man on base. If the name sounds familiar, Kitchings is the son of former NC State football assistant coach Des Kitchings. The younger Kitchings impressed with his poise and calm on the mound, even earning an early strikeout.
“He’s a guy that believes in himself,” Avent said. “He grew up in an athletic family, that helps… I saw him in the locker room before the game, this was a big moment for him and he stepped up to it.”
Beyond Kitchings, several other new pitchers made appearances and impressed. The Wolfpack held the Tar Heels scoreless for the first six innings. Freshman Luke Hemric especially impressed in the fourth inning when he struck out Carolina second baseman Gavin Gallaher — one of the Heels’ best hitters last season who finished top ten in the ACC in both RBIs and home runs. Hemric finished the outing without a run allowed.
At the plate, the Pack featured several transfers in a new-look lineup. Sophomore shortstop Mikey Ryan, who arrived from LSU this offseason, stood out as a potential star for the red-and-white. With a knack for getting on base, Ryan earned three hits throughout the evening. In the top of the seventh, senior infielder Wyatt Pfeifer drove Ryan home to give the Pack a 1-0 lead.
The Wolfpack lead didn’t last long as the Tar Heels evened things up in the bottom of the frame, before tacking on a pair of runs in the eighth to secure the lead. Senior first baseman Dalton Bargo, a Tennessee transfer, opened the ninth with a walk. However, the Wolfpack failed to rally for a comeback and fell 3-1.
The Wolfpack will return to the diamond on Feb. 13, 2026 for the Puerto Rico Baseball Challenge. The event is a multi-city, eight team invitational where the Pack will open the season against teams from across the nation. Other teams invited include Boston College, Houston, Indiana State, Manhattan, Seton Hall, Wake Forest and Washington.
