We’re less than 30 days out from the start of NC State’s 2026 baseball season, so now’s as good a time as any to get to know the team before they hit the diamond. The Wolfpack will be looking for their third trip to Omaha in the last six seasons, so let’s figure out how they’ll get there (keep your “on a plane” jokes at home where they belong). We’ll try and tackle this in a few parts:
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Part I will look back at the 2025 season and the players who are no longer with the program.
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Part II will look at the returnees from 2025’s Auburn Regional squad
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Part III will look at the newcomers, both transfers and freshmen
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Part IV will look at the non-conference opponents
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Part V will tackle the ACC slate facing the Pack
Let’s get to it!
2025 Season Review
How did things go in 2025?
As is the case with most Wolfpack baseball seasons, the 2025 campaign was one of dramatic emotional swings. The team dominated an overmatched Fordham in the season opening series, then promptly went on a five-game skid to make folks wonder if this team was even NCAA Regional caliber. Of course, State then ran off wins in 14 of their next 15 games, including a sweep of an impressive Wright State group and a 4-1 start in ACC play, somewhat soothing anxiety among the fans.
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The team then went 1-4 over their next five ACC games, with an embarrassing run-rule loss at home to USC Upstate. Things weren’t rosy anymore. With Pack fans again in “worry” mode, Elliott Avent’s group did what an Elliott Avent group does: they went on another win streak. This foray in the correct side of the win column witnessed State go 11-1 over a 12-game stretch with series wins over Virginia, Louisville, California, and Clemson – Louisville and Clemson were both ranked squads – and a win at East Carolina mixed in for good measure. Things were looking up once again.
NC State was in prime position to capture their first regular season ACC baseball title since 1986, but the team skidded down the stretch to let it out of their grasp. A 3-6 finish in the regular season, including a 2-5 mark in conference play, meant it would be yet another year before that trophy would reside yet again in Raleigh.
The Pack blew leads in each of their last two regular season games – a win in one of those would have secured that ACC crown – and then subsequently blew a lead in their lone ACC Tournament game, a loss to Clemson. State got blown out by Stetson in their Auburn Regional opener, but worked their way back with big offensive outputs in wins against Central Connecticut and Stetson to face off with the host Tigers. It wasn’t to be, though, and a 10-run loss put an end to the Wolfpack’s season.
Overall it was a good-not-great year, one that will be remembered for coming agonizingly close to capturing an ACC title, but coming up short. The team peaked in April and just couldn’t recapture that magic in June. Such is baseball.
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Who’s gone from the 2025 squad?
Yes, this is the portion of our preseason series where we things get super depressing as we see just how much production is gone and we hit a sense of impending doom for the season to come. Worry not, subsequent parts in this series will help to lift spirits, so keep that in mind as we run through the list of players who are no longer with the program after being on the 2025 roster.
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Jake Bechtel – SO – OF
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Trey Bentley – FR – OF
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Justin DeCriscio – SR – SS
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Jacob Dienes – rJR – LHP
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Dominic Fritton – JR – LHP
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Jet Gilliam – SO – OF
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Matt Heavner – JR – INF
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Carson Kelly – SR – RHP
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Aden Knowles – FR – RHP
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Jaxon Lucas – SO – RHP
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Trenton Lyons – SO – OF
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Matt Ossenfort – SO – 1B/3B
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Eli Pillsbury – JR – LHP
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Andrew Shaffner – JR – RHP
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Derrick Smith – rSO – RHP
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Shane Van Dam – JR – RHP
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Matt Willadsen – rSR – RHP
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Camden Wimbish – SO – RHP
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Ryder Woodson – FR – INF
(Starters and key contributors in bold)
I was probably a little more generous than needed on those bolded names above, but it’s worth calling out guys like Derrick Smith, Shane Van Dam, and Matt Willadsen who combined for just 19.1 innings in 2025 but played larger roles earlier in their careers. You could also toss a coin as to whether or not to say that Ryan Jaros and Matt Ossenfort were key contributors. It likely should have been a both or neither scenario, but I hedged my bets and went with one to signify that was about the level of contribution.
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Let’s hit the barely seen, transferred out group first. That consists of Jake Bechtel (now at UNCW), Trey Bentley (USC Upstate), Jacob Dienes (Memphis), Jet Gilliam (Utah), Aden Knowles (Towson), and Eli Pillsbury (Jacksonville State). Interestingly, Bechtel made Aaron Fitt’s “Picks to Click” over at D1 Baseball:
A physical specimen at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Bechtel played sparingly over his first two years at NC State, but he made a loud impression this fall at UNCW following a stellar summer in the Northwoods League. He is one of the most intriguing breakout draft prospects in the region, possessing high-end defensive instincts in center field and elite speed for his size, clocking a 6.4-second 60-yard dash.
In two years with the Pack, Bechtel managed just 22 plate appearances, slashing .100/.182/.400 with a pair of home runs. As Fitt referenced, his physical tools are impressive, and if he can carry over his success from the Northwoods League last summer (.304/.395/.545, 14 2B, 12 HR, 12.8 BB%, 22.2 K%, 28-31 SB) then he could be a player that State fans look at as a “how did we let him go?!” type.
Of the others in that group, Gilliam was the closest to breaking out in a regular role with State in 2025 after a great freshman year at the JUCO level, but he ended up being mostly used as a late-game pinch runner and defensive sub for Josh Hogue. He should be Utah’s starting centerfielder this year. It’ll be worth keeping an eye on Bentley and Knowles as their careers progress.
Trenton Lyons (Kennesaw State) was expected to play a large role for the Pack last year, but injuries derailed almost his entire season, and he’ll be most remembered for manning the first base coach box as the season progressed. He has the tools to thrive with the Owls this year. Yes, NC State will likely have three transfers starting at center field for other programs in 2026 – and that number could hit four if Trey Bentley wins the open CF job at USC Upstate.
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Matt Ossenfort (Michigan) came to Raleigh last year after spending his freshman year in a backup role with Vanderbilt. He was expected to compete with Chris McHugh for the starting first base job or at least fill in the DH role. McHugh won the first base job and ran with that, while Ossenfort struggled to hold down the DH job, hitting .240/.406/.340, 2 2B, 1 HR, 18.8 BB%, 17.2 K% over 64 plate appearances. He’s expected to be the starting first baseman for the Wolverines this spring.
Ryan Jaros (Rutgers) arrived in Raleigh after a year at Georgia Tech with the expectation of competing for the starting third base gig. Jaros hit plenty (.304/.437/.493, 4 2B, 3 HR, 17.2 BB%, 24.1 K%, 0-0 SB), but the defense (.818 FLD%) held him back from securing the everyday role, limiting his overall contribution on the season. Jaros has made the move to first base with the Scarlett Knights and that should serve him better there. The bat will play, but with McHugh back for the Pack, there wasn’t going to be playing time in the field for him in Raleigh this year.
Ryder Woodson (Mississippi State) made a couple early season starts against Wright State, then proceeded to play a backup role for the Wolfpack until the Auburn Regional. There, he busted out with five hits, including three home runs, in the first two games. That postseason showing was enough to warrant an offseason transfer to the SEC where he’s expected to be the starting shortstop for former Virginia coach Brian O’Connor’s inaugural Bulldogs squad. Woodson had just 34 PA last year with a line of .333/.412/.733, 3 2B, 3 HR, 5.9 BB%, 23.5 K%, 0-0 SB.
Camden Wimbish (Campbell) is a converted high school catcher with a big arm, but questionable control. He threw just 12.2 innings across two seasons with NC State, with 9.0 of those innings coming in 2025, posting a 1-0 record with a 16.00 ERA over 12 games, 21.6 BB% and 33.3 K%. He played in the Cape Cod League last summer where he fared better (1-1, 6.00 ERA, 12.0 IP, 7.3 BB%, 23.6 K%. The Camels program is a good fit for him and should allow him to get the consistent innings needed to continue development.
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Three other players hit the portal for the Pack after last season. Matt Heavner (unknown destination for 2026) started 42 games for State last year, mostly featuring at third base. He hit .225/.307/.308, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8.6 BB%, 9.9 K%, 0-0 SB in 2025 and finishes his three-year Wolfpack career with a line of .237/.331/.339, 5 2B, 6 HR, 8.8 BB%, 13.1 K%, 0-1 SB over 102 games with 75 starts and 283 PA.
Jaxon Lucas (Liberty) tossed 40.0 IP over his two seasons with the Wolfpack, tallying a 2-0 record with a 7.43 ERA, 9.5 BB%, 22.1 K% over 26 games with 1 start. Lucas will compete for a spot in the Flames weekend rotation for 2026. Whether or not he ends up in that role or as their midweek starter or a bullpen arm, he should amass more innings for Liberty than he did for State. Consistent control and avoiding the longball (8 HR allowed with State) will be the key to his finding success.
Following a two-year run in Raleigh where he started 82 of the 87 games he appeared in, Alex Sosa (Miami) chased the money and an opportunity to head back to Florida and play for the team he rooted for growing up. Of the Wolfpack’s 14 transfers from the 2025 team, Sosa’s will likely be the most impactful. For his State career, Sosa his .268/.382/.488, 17 2B, 16 HR, 14.8 BB%, 23.0 K%, 1-1 SB. His best season came last year with a line of .291/.401/.534, 16 2B, 10 HR, 14.6 BB%, 22.1 K%, 0-0 SB. A bat-first backstop who threw out 9.1% (4-of-44) attempted base stealers with 6 PB, improvement in the defensive part of his game is what will boost Sosa’s stock the most ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft.
Justin DeCriscio transferred to NC State for the 2025 season after spending three years at San Diego. The California native his .289/.383/.500, 12 2B, 8 HR, 10.3 BB%, 9.8 K%, 2-3 SB with the Wolfpack while starting 51 games at shortstop. DeCriscio posted a .955 fielding percentage on the year, with both his glove and bat skills translating from the WCC to the ACC. His season resulted in his selection by the San Diego Padres in the 10th round of the 2025 MLB Draft where he debuted in A ball.
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The ace of the 2025 Wolfpack, Dominic Fritton also ended up as the team’s highest drafted player, being selected in the 4th round by the Tampa Bay Rays. The lefty finished with a 5-6 record and 4.47 ERA over 17 starts, spanning 86.2 IP, 10.0 BB%, an 27.5 K% while earning 3rd Team All-ACC honors. The 2023 Freshman All-American recorded 107 strikeouts in 2025, the first member of the Pack9 to reach triple digit strikeouts in a season since Carlos Rodon in 2014. Fritton started 43 games among his 51 total appearances across his three seasons with the Wolfpack, posting a combined line of 11-17, 3 SV, 5.26 ERA, 222.1 IP, 10.9 BB%, 25.2 K%.
Josh Hogue played two years for the Wolfpack after transferring from Santa Fe JUCO, and the lefty hitter crushed it in the batters box for State with a career line of .322/.394/.518, 23 2B, 15 HR, 9.5 BB%, 14.8 K%, 6-9 SB, playing in 92 games with 90 starts. Those numbers would have been even more impressive if not for a leg injury that cut his 2024 season short. The Florida native was a 15th round pick of the Miami Marlins in the 2025 MLB Draft after hitting .327/.391/.562, 18 2B, 11 HR, 9.9 BB%, 14.0 K%, 4-6 SB last season for State. He debuted in A ball.
Carson Kelly spent his entire collegiate career in Raleigh, tossing 81.0 IP while compiling at 4-0 record with 2 SV, a 5.22 ERA, 14.6 BB%, and 25.5 K%. Of those career innings, 30.0 came in a fantastic freshman year of 2022. Unfortunately, control issues limited the impact Kelly was able to have over the remainder of his career, but he turned in a solid final season to the tune of 1-0, 4.03 ERA, 22.1 IP, 12.0 BB%, 27.2 K%.
A personal favorite of mine during his time with the Wolfpack, Andrew Shaffner was mini-Ohtani as the Virginia High School Class 1 Player of the Year in 2022 hitting .545 with 11 HR while going 6-0 on the mound with 3 SV and a 0.16 ERA. After yelling for two years that he needed – and deserved – more innings than he was getting on the mound, Shaffner finally received those innings in 2025 and responded with a season that garnered inclusion on the midseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List and eventual 15th round selection by the Cincinnati Reds. That 2025 Wolfpack campaign saw him put up a line of 4-1, 7 SV, 3.13 ERA, 37.1 IP, 4.6 BB%, 25.5 K%. For his NC State career, Shaffner posted a combined line of 4-1, 8 SV, 3.75 ERA, 69.2 IP, 7.1 BB%, 23.8 K% over 40 appearances on the mound, including 1 start. He also appeared in 17 games in the outfield for State in 2024, primarily as a late-game defensive substitute, hitting .167/.286/.167 over 7 PA.
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Derrick Smith had an interesting career for the Pack, with two barely-there seasons sandwiched around a dominant 2024 campaign where he helped NC State make it to the College World Series and spent the summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. His first year in Raleigh saw him make just three appearances and log only 3.0 innings, but that 2024 season he went 3-2, 8 SV, 4.55 ERA, 29.2 IP, 8.9 BB%, 33.3 K% over 24 appearances. In one of Clint Chrysler’s finest coaching jobs, Smith continued to get innings to work through his early season struggles (14.09 ERA over his first 9 appearances) and turned into one of the best shut-down arms the remainder of the campaign. Over his last 15 appearances of 2024, Smith posted a 1.23 ERA with 7 SV. Unfortunately, injuries cost Smith almost the entirety of his 2025 season (3.0 IP), but his talents still saw him invited to play in the Cape Cod League and he was drafted in the 17th round by the Colorado Rockies.
Shane Van Dam was a two-sport athlete at D3 SUNY-Cortland, playing quarterback for the school’s football team in addition to his work as a pitcher. With his prospects far brighter on the mound, including pitching in the Cape Cod League following his freshman year at Cortland, Van Dam transferred to NC State where he was showing really solid development as the 2024 season progressed until an elbow injury ended his campaign prematurely. The subsequent Tommy John Surgery also cost him almost all of 2025, but he did return to make three appearances in May, displaying the same talent that had scouts tracking him in 2024. Van Dam ended up as a 9th round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2025, and finished his Wolfpack career with a combined line of 4-0, 1 SV, 4.57 ERA, 45.1 IP, 11.9 BB%, 20.8 K%.
A local kid from Holly Springs who saw limited action as a true freshman in the covid-shortened season of 2020, Matt Willadsen became a workhorse for the Wolfpack from 2021-2023, tossing 252.0 IP across those three seasons despite dealing with nagging injuries throughout, combining for a 15-12 record and 4.25 ERA over 43 starts and 50 appearances, with a 9.6 BB% and 23.0 K%. Like Van Dam, Willadsen ended up having Tommy John Surgery in 2024, but his came before the season ever started, wiping out his entire campaign. While he gutted it out to get back on the mound in 2025, he wasn’t what he formally was. He theoretically could have redshirted last season and come back this year for a 6th year, but already as a graduate student, he was ready to move on to the next phase of his life. Willadsen put together many memorable performances in a State uniform, but the one that stands out the most came in 2021 when he pitched the last 2.0 innings of a win over UNC from a game that had been suspended the previous day, and then came back to start the next game and toss 7.1 innings in earning the win over the Tar Heels.
