The No. 22 NC State baseball team is set to participate in the 2025 ACC Tournament, kicking off their campaign on Thursday, May 22, at 7 p.m. against fifth-seeded Clemson in Durham. Fans can catch the action live on the ACC Network and listen in via WKNC 88.1 FM with Andrew Sanders providing commentary. Additionally, a free audio stream will be accessible through the Varsity Network App.
This year’s tournament has adopted a single-elimination format, which adds to the excitement. The victor of the NC State vs. Clemson clash will advance to the semifinals scheduled for Saturday, May 24, at 1 p.m. Notably, this marks the first encounter between the two teams in the ACC Tournament since 2013, when NC State triumphed over Clemson 6-3. Earlier this season, NC State completed a home sweep against the Tigers, a feat not accomplished since 1997.
The Wolfpack will be vying for their first ACC Tournament title since 1992. Previously, NC State reached the championship game in both 2021 and 2022, narrowly missing out on victory against Duke and UNC.
In recognition of their performances this season, five NC State players received All-ACC honors. Among them, McHugh was named to the All-ACC second team and has emerged as a key offensive asset, boasting a batting average of .377 and leading the team with 22 multi-hit games. He made history as the first NC State first baseman to earn All-ACC honors since Gino Groover in 2021.
The Wolfpack’s pitching staff has also excelled this season. Notably, Fritton and Marohn both rank among the top 10 in the ACC for innings pitched. NC State stands out as the only conference team with two pitchers in the top 10 for both innings pitched and batters struck out. Fritton, in particular, is closing in on 100 strikeouts this season, a milestone not achieved since Carlos Rodon in 2014.
As they enter the tournament, NC State’s offense has a strong track record when out-hitting opponents, winning 28 of 30 games under those circumstances. Additionally, they have demonstrated resilience this season, winning 17 times after falling behind first and overcoming deficits in three instances when trailing by five or more runs.
With 63 home runs this season, including 10 from leading hitters, NC State’s powerful lineup presents a formidable challenge for any opponent. Overall, the Wolfpack’s strong performances, particularly in high-stakes situations, offer a hopeful outlook as they aim for success in the ACC Tournament.