While unable to make the NCAA Tournament in the 2024 season, NC State softball was still able to make some noise in its first year under head coach Lindsay Leftwich. The Wolfpack posted an overall record of 30-23, while picking up some impressive wins, including a 6-1 victory over then-No. 8 Clemson and a 5-4 win over then-No. 15 Virginia Tech.
There is a lot of excitement growing around the program, and a lot of that has to do with the passion and potential that the 2025 roster brings to the table.
Pitching
The top returning pitcher for the Wolfpack is junior right-handed pitcher Rylee Wyman. In 2024, Wyman had an ERA of 3.59, which was the lowest of anyone on the team and recorded 63 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. She also has a lot of experience pitching in a Wolfpack uniform, starting in 19 of her 35 appearances in 2024.
Another important returning pitcher is junior right-handed pitcher Madison Inscoe, starting in 14 of her 28 appearances in 2024. As a pitcher, she had an ERA of 4.20 with 66 strikeouts. But Inscoe is a dual threat, not only playing as a pitcher but as a hitter as well. In 2024, she started 33 games as a designated hitter and finished the season with a .313 batting average, 25 hits and 10 runs. Inscoe is a dynamic player who can make a huge impact on both sides of the ball.
Hitting
The biggest strength of this Wolfpack roster is the returning hitters. Redshirt junior infielder Michele Tarpey returns after leading the team during the 2024 season with a batting average of .353, as well as finishing the season with 41 hits. On the fielding side, Tarpey was tied for first on the team with 237 putouts.
One of the biggest threats in the batter’s box is senior infielder Taylor Ensley. Out of the returning players, Taylor had the most in the 2024 season with 50 hits, including 11 doubles, 11 homers and 30 runs on the ground. She had a batting average of .333 and was extremely efficient when fielding with a .972 fielding percentage.
Junior utility player Makayla Marbury recorded 40 runs last season, which was the most of any player on the team. She appeared in all but one game and started in 48. She also finished the season with a .267 batting average, 35 hits and 10 homers as well as leading the team in stolen bases with 18.
Other playmakers for the red-and-white include senior infielder Hannah Goodwin, sophomore infielder Tori Ensley and junior outfielder Ellie Goins. Out of those three, Tori had the best 2024 batting average at .268 and Goins had a batting average of .252. Both of these players had 33 hits, while Goodwin had 31 hits. All three of them had over 20 runs last year.
Overall, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the returning talent of NC State softball, which will look to make some more noise in the ACC and contend for an NCAA Tournament spot.
