With matchups against longstanding rivalries and a non-conference trip to Puerto Rico, preseason No. 17 NC State baseball will once again take on a challenging schedule.
Between a tough ACC slate and multiple intriguing nonconference matchups, this season will be one to watch for Wolfpack baseball.
Season Opener in Puerto Rico
The Wolfpack begins its season in the second annual Puerto Rico Baseball Challenge on Friday, Feb. 13. The Wolfpack will face three different opponents, starting with Washington, then Indiana State and wrapping up with Seton Hall.
Last season, the Huskies finished with a 29-28 record; however, Washington pieced together a strong finish in Big 10 play. Meanwhile, both Indiana State and Seton Hall finished well below .500 with 24 wins apiece. The weekend gives NC State an opportunity to see unfamiliar foes without getting bludgeoned by elite competition early like it did in last year’s JAX College Baseball Classic — a similar event based in Jacksonville, Florida.
Must-see Midweeks
The Pack’s toughest non-conference test comes in an early, midweek matchup when No. 6 Coastal Carolina visits Raleigh. The Wolfpack and the Chanticleers square off regularly, including each of the last three seasons. Last year’s Coastal squad defeated the Pack 10-3 before making a run to the College World Series finals, eliminated by the national champion LSU Tigers.
The Wolfpack also faces East Carolina twice during midweeks this season — once in Raleigh and once in Greenville. The Pirates always play up when they face the Pack and are never an easy out, winning six of 13 under head coach Cliff Godwin. The Pirates are a regular in the NCAA Tournament with seven consecutive appearances and nine overall since Godwin arrived in 2015.
Early Challenge in Tallahassee
NC State will open ACC play against Boston College in mid-March, but the Pack’s first true ACC challenge will come the following week at No. 16 Florida State. Fresh off a Super Regional appearance, the Seminoles are an experienced bunch and a tough out — especially on the road.
FSU is led by first baseman Myles Bailey, a D1 Baseball preseason All-American. Despite being a freshman last year, Bailey proved to be the Noles’ best hitter in the clutch, with a team-high eight game-winning hits. Additionally, Bailey brings plenty of power to the plate, showcased by his 19 home runs last season, which ranked second-best in the ACC.
Dangerous Yellow Jackets
The schedule doesn’t lighten up after FSU — the Wolfpack will remain on the road to take on No. 5 Georgia Tech the very next week.
The Yellow Jackets have their best roster in years under first-year head coach James Ramesey. Previously serving as the Yellow Jackets’ hitting coach, Ramsey is set to take over for Yellow Jacket legend Danny Hall, who coached Georgia Tech from 1994 to 2025.
The Yellow Jackets’ biggest star is outfielder Drew Burress — a name that’s already being circled as one of the best prospects in the 2026 MLB draft class. With a .357 batting average, 38 doubles and 44 home runs during his two seasons in Atlanta, Burress is a threat to score anytime he’s at the plate.
Weekend in Winston-Salem
After a year off from playing each other, the Wolfpack and the Demon Deacons will battle again at David F. Couch Ballpark. Ranked No. 21, Wake Forest is looking to rebound after getting bounced in the Knoxville Regional last season.
While he’s not a home run machine, third baseman Kade Lewis is Wake Forest’s steady leader at the plate. Posting a .376 batting average, Lewis is the type of batter who simply finds a way to get on base. Totalling 59 RBIs, Lewis will be instrumental in pushing the Demon Deacons home and will be the bat Wake Forest hopes to have at the plate in crunch time.
Rivalry Clash
The Wolfpack will conclude its regular season by hosting No. 11 North Carolina. The Wolfpack and the Tar Heels have had several classics in recent memory, most recently a walk-off home run by former Wolfpack shortstop Brandon Butterworth in 2024. Both sides have high aspirations this year, making it must-see baseball.
The Heels excel on the mound with two D1 All-American Second Team pitchers. Forming a dangerous one-two punch, starter Jason DeCaro and reliever Walker McDuffie will cause problems for even the best lineups. Expect to see a strong show of pitching when the Carolina pitching staff and the Wolfpack’s deep rotation go head-to-head this year.
