NC State baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more

NC State Baseball produced a solid season in NCAA this year. They finished second in the Atlantic division of the ACC with an 18-11 conference record. Despite failing to make it out of pool play in the ACC, they made it to the postseason for the second year in a row and did so as the No. 10 seed.

Unlike 2023, the Wolfpack won the Raleigh Regional unbeaten before stunning the No. 6 seed, the Georgia Bulldogs in the Athens Super Regional. This ensured they made the College World Series for the first time since 2021.

Although they fought hard in Omaha, they were the first team to be eliminated from Bracket 2 of the College World Series. This was following identical 5-4 defeats to the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators.

Elliott Avent will enter his 28th season as head coach of the Wolfpack in 2025. However, rumors have been swirling around his future for some time because he will enter the final year of his current contract.

The Wolfpack have strengthened their roster considerably in order to make another push to reach the College World Series. Here, we preview the Wolfpack ahead of the 2025 NCAA Baseball season.

3 key games for NC State Baseball in the 2025 season

#3 Clemson Tigers

The Tigers pipped the Wolfpack to the ACC Atlantic Division title this year with a 20-10 conference record. However, the Wolfpack beat the Tigers 2-1 in an away series during the regular season this year. It will give them confidence for next year given both teams could be frontrunners once again.

#2 Duke Blue Devils

The Blue Devils eliminated the Wolfpack from this year's ACC Tournament with an emphatic 8-1 victory in the final game of pool play. Heading into 2025, the Wolfpack will not only be keen to get revenge, but also get the upper hand on them to achieve their goals for next season.

#1 North Carolina Tar Heels

The rivalry between the Wolfpack and the Tar Heels is well-known across the country. While the Tar Heels clinched the ACC regular season title with a 22-8 conference record, the Wolfpack beat them 2-1 in a home series this year.

The Wolfpack will hope to narrow their 55-60 all-time head-to-head deficit in 2025 while trying to push the Tar Heels all the way in the ACC regular season.

Key players for the NC State Wolfpack in 2025

#3 Alex Sosa, C

Sosa starred in his freshman season for the Wolfpack. He recorded 6 home runs and 24 RBI with an average of .230 in 35 games played this year. With the Wolfpack losing a majority of their bats in the ongoing off-season, Sosa will need to take on a bigger role in his sophomore season.

#2 Dominic Fritton, LHP

Fritton enjoyed a breakout freshman season in 2023, during which he earned First-Team Freshman All-American honors. He followed it up with a solid sophomore season this year, recording 72 strikeouts with an ERA of 7.64 in 17 starts. However, his 3-7 record leaves a lot to be desired.

With Sam Highfill signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, Fritton will be expected to feature as a regular starting pitcher for the Wolfpack.

#1 Josh Hogue, OF

Hogue produced an excellent freshman season for the Wolfpack this year. He recorded 4 home runs and 28 RBI in 37 games played, with his .314 batting average the third-best of all Wolfpack hitters in 2024.

Hogue's form in 2025 could be a major factor in determining how much success the Wolfpack can achieve. He will hope to keep his momentum going in his sophomore season to deal with rising expectations from the staff and fans.

Predicting NC State Wolfpack's 2025 season

The Wolfpack have put in solid work to cover the gaps in their 2025 roster during the off-season. However, the loss of their top stars like Alec Makarewicz and Jacob Cozart could have a major impact on their 2025 season.

The Wolfpack also need to sort out Avent's contract situation during the season, which leaves them in uncharted territory given that he is their only head coach in the 21st century.

They should make the postseason for the third season on the trot, but are not among the early favorites to make the field of eight in Omaha in 2025.