Everything went right for NC State baseball as it kicked off its season with an offensive onslaught, pummelling the Washington Huskies in a 13-0 mercy-rule victory.
The bats were scorching hot for the Wolfpack (1-0) in Ponce, Puerto Rico, as it opened its 2026 season against the Washington Huskies (0-1). Friday’s matchup was the first of a three-game slate for the Wolfpack.
As head coach Elliot Avent’s 30th year gets underway, he has to be pleased with the red-and-white’s offensive production. The Wolfpack had 13 runs on 16 hits, stranding only four runners; a clear difference in tonight’s matchup, as the Huskies stranded 10.
The first four frames against the Huskies were scoreless, with junior left-hander ace Ryan Marohn dicing up the lineup. The Huskies couldn’t handle the Virginia native, as he finished the game with six strikeouts, with 50 strikes on 85 pitches. The pitching for the Pack was a well-oiled machine, with nine total strikeouts.
Right-handed sophomore Anderson Nance faced seven batters, sitting two down and protecting the shutout for two innings. The lead was protected largely due to both great pitching and good fielding, with the team posting only one error.
Senior first baseman Dalton Bargo was unfazed in his first appearance for the Wolfpack. With NC State losing a lot of power in the lineup after last season, it was questionable whether the team would have the same offensive production with so many new transfers. The Tennessee transfer quieted the doubt today, as he had three runs on three hits with a two-RBI homer. He got the bats started, and his team followed suit.
Junior second-baseman Luke Nixon started right where he left off last season as a dominant offensive force. With three hits and three RBIs against the Huskies, the Wilmington native looks poised to step into a team leader role this season.
Junior designated hitter Andrew Wiggins was the second batter to go yard against Washington, and the Wolfpack just took off in the top of the fourth and never looked back.
The Wolfpack has now won ten straight season openers, and it has its eyes set on a trip to Omaha. The Wolfpack made its 35th regional playoff appearance last season.
The Wolfpack will face Indiana State in its second game in the Puerto Rico Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 14. First pitch is set for 9:00 a.m.
