Heading into the 2024 campaign, NC State baseball is fresh off a 36-21 2023 season where it returned to the postseason, competing in the NCAA regional. This year looks once again to be one of change for the Pack — it treks into a tricky ACC with many new faces on its roster.
However, there is optimism NC State is up to the task, as the Pack has garnered multiple top-25 rankings during the offseason.
Roster breakdown
The largest bat on the Wolfpack’s lineup is junior catcher Jacob Cozart. Last season was one of great success for Cozart as he posted a .301 batting average, 10 home runs and 42 RBIs. Also possessing an elite arm, the junior catcher has solidified his space as the Pack’s backstop. Reeling in many offseason accolades, he’ll likely be NC State’s best player.
Another important returner to the lineup is sophomore infielder/outfielder Eli Serrano III. Last season, Serrano wasted little time getting acquainted with college baseball, sporting a batting average of .292. On the other end, he was able to use his tall and lanky frame to provide reliable defense.
Other returning faces include senior outfielder Noah Soles, who looks to bounce back after missing 21 games last season. A keen presence at the plate, Soles knows how to get on base — he posted a .305 batting average along with 24 walks. Fellow returners junior outfielder Chase Nixon, sophomore infielder Matt Heavner and redshirt junior infielder/outfielder Carson Falsken will further add to the Pack’s experience after getting limited playing time last season.
NC State will heavily rely on a solid group of transfers this season, which includes several new pieces to the infield. A big part of this unit includes graduate infielder Garrett Pennington. A transfer from Wichita State, he posted great stats last season with a .307 batting average, 15 homers and 55 RBIs. Junior infielder Brandon Butterworth also looks to be a key addition coming off a .301 season at the plate with 22 extra-base hits at Western Carolina.
Other key additions from the portal include graduate infielder Alec Makarewicz from East Carolina. Last season, he played in all 66 games for the Pirates, posting a solid .258 batting average and 49 RBIs. Also, keep an eye out for sophomore outfielder/infielder Josh Hogue who had a staggering .412 batting average and 41 RBIs in 50 games with Santa Fe College.
On the mound, the Pack returns many familiar faces, boasting one of the best rotations in the ACC. The group is led by sophomore left-handed pitcher Dominic Fritton. Racking in many offseason awards, Fritton looks to be the Friday-night starter after posting a 3.59 ERA along with 75 strikeouts last season.
Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Logan Whitaker also returns after having a down year in 2023. Another key returning arm is with graduate right-handed pitcher Sam Highfill. After shifting between a starting role and coming out of the bullpen, he posted solid numbers with a team-high six wins. It will be worth paying attention to his rotation status this season.
The Wolfpack bullpen is grounded with several solid options such as junior right-handed pitcher Carson Kelly, who tallied 33 strikeouts in 24 innings of relief. Senior left-handed pitcher John Miralia and sophomore right-handed pitcher Andrew Shaffner each appeared in at least 13 games last season, with each allowing an opposing batting average below .275.
A transfer Wolfpack fans should keep an eye out for is senior right-handed pitcher Hollis Fanning. In limited time at Tennessee, he put up a 1.26 ERA in 14.1 innings last season.
Non-conference schedule breakdown
NC State opens its season on Friday, Feb. 16 against the VCU Rams in a three-game set, looking to start the season off strong. It will then make the long trip to Hawaii to take on the Rainbow Warriors, who defeated multiple Power Five schools in 2023. Next, the red-and-white will return home for six straight home dates against Queens, Towson and Winthrop.
After the conference season starts, the Pack will take part in several key midweek matchups. NC State will take on Coastal Carolina at home March 19, which should be a big opportunity as the Chanticleers hosted a regional last season.
Two weeks later, the Wolfpack will play its first of two games against East Carolina. This matchup looks to be a good one as the Pirates are consistently a postseason presence, coming off yet another regional appearance. The two teams will face off again April 23, in Greenville.
Two more formidable foes will be found as the Wolfpack visits UNC-Wilmington on April 9, and hosts Campbell on April 16. Both teams made the postseason last year, with the Camels knocking the Pack out of the Columbia Regional.
Conference schedule breakdown
Last season, eight teams from the ACC, including the Wolfpack, made the NCAA Tournament. It will face six of these teams this upcoming season.
It will start the conference season off strong, taking on Boston College from March 8-10. Boston College is fresh off a 37-20 season, which included a series win over NC State.
After hitting the road to take on Georgia Tech, the Pack will return home to face Duke. The teams played once last season with the Pack taking the win in the ACC Tournament. The Blue Devils had a strong 2023 campaign, making it to a Super Regional.
A few weeks later, the Pack will hit the road to take on Louisville. As a consistent name at the top of the ACC, the Cardinals have proven to be a tricky opponent for NC State, as the Pack have just one series win there.
A tricky road trip will continue as it travels to Clemson to take on the reigning ACC Champions. The Tigers look to once again be a strong force in the conference as they come off of hosting a regional amidst a 44-19 record.
Following the road trip, NC State will return to Doak Field to face rival UNC-Chapel Hill on April 18. This series should prove to be an important one for the Pack as it will look to change the tide in the rivalry — it’s dropped seven of its last eight against the Tar Heels. UNC finished last season strong, making it to a regional.
In the last two weeks of the season, the Wolfpack will have two important series. First, it takes on Virginia, who put together a 50-15 season last year that led to an appearance in the College World Series.
It will then return home to take on Wake Forest, who are currently ranked first in every college baseball publication. The Demon Deacons returned to the College World Series in 2023 for the first time in nearly 70 years before losing to the eventual national champion LSU Tigers.
With a revamped roster, the Pack looks to make noise amidst a busy ACC. The team has its fair share of tough non-conference games, which it hopes will help prepare it for the challenges of the ACC.
