The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
MARCH/APRIL 2025 ■ 45 said. "His body language and poise are much like Sam Highfill. I'd equate those two guys a lot. … You would never know if it's a good day or a bad day." While Andrews has a chance to be a starter this season, Wimbish appears to be setting up as a high-leverage arm. He could end up being reminiscent of Du- dan, a lights-out setup man last season who is expected to push for a starting spot this year. Wimbish possesses power stuff, sim- ilar to that of Dudan, even though he pitched just 3.2 innings with 4 strike- outs, 3 walks and a 9.82 ERA in five ap- pearances as a freshman. Sophomore lefty Ryan Marohn is ex- pected to return to a starting role after shining as a reliever in the NCAA Tour- nament last year. For the season, the Chantilly, Va., native was 4-2 with a 3.97 ERA, 46 strikeouts and 25 walks in 59 total innings. In the bullpen, Dudan is a D1 Baseball Preseason All-American after totaling 56 strikeouts in 48 innings during his freshman year. He has worked on adding a third pitch to his arsenal and has im- proved his command in hope of bring- ing down his walk total (34). While he could end up in the starting rotation, Dudan will likely begin the season in the bullpen. NC State is high on redshirt junior Jacob Dienes, who had a standout fall, while Matt Willadsen appears to be on track to contribute out of the bullpen af- ter recovering from Tommy John surgery. Derrick Smith was the team's lock- down closer after his breakout sopho- more season and is back in that role this spring. His devastating slider was nearly impossible to hit down the stretch. If it can get to the final three innings with a lead, NC State will be in good shape. ■ 2025 Baseball Schedule Date Opponent Time Feb. 14 FORDHAM 3 p.m. Feb. 15 FORDHAM 2 p.m. Feb. 16 FORDHAM 1 p.m. Feb. 18 LIBERTY 3 p.m. Feb. 21 Ohio State* 2 p.m. Feb. 22 Alabama* 4 p.m. Feb. 23 Coastal Carolina* 2:30 p.m. Feb. 25 RICHMOND 3 p.m. Feb. 28 CANISIUS 3 p.m. Mar. 1 CANISIUS 2 p.m. Mar. 2 CANISIUS 1 p.m. Mar. 4 at UNC Greensboro 4 p.m. Mar. 5 CAMPBELL 3 p.m. Mar. 7 WRIGHT STATE 3 p.m. Mar. 8 WRIGHT STATE 2 p.m. Mar. 9 WRIGHT STATE 1 p.m. Mar. 11 NORTH CAROLINA A&T 6 p.m. Mar. 14 VIRGINIA TECH 6 p.m. Mar. 15 VIRGINIA TECH 3 p.m. Mar. 16 VIRGINIA TECH 1 p.m. Mar. 18 at Davidson 6 p.m. Mar. 21 at Pittsburgh 3 p.m. Mar. 22 at Pittsburgh 3 p.m. Mar. 23 at Pittsburgh 1 p.m. Mar. 25 USC UPSTATE 6 p.m. Mar. 28 at Duke 6 p.m. Mar. 29 at Duke 3 p.m. Mar. 30 at Duke 1 p.m. Apr. 1 UNC GREENSBORO 6 p.m. Apr. 4 VIRGINIA 6 p.m. Apr. 5 VIRGINIA 3 p.m. Apr. 6 VIRGINIA 1 p.m. Apr. 8 at East Carolina 6 p.m. Apr. 11 LOUISVILLE 6 p.m. Apr. 12 LOUISVILLE 3 p.m. Apr. 13 LOUISVILLE 1 p.m. Apr. 17 at California 9 p.m. Apr. 18 at California 9 p.m. Apr. 19 at California 5 p.m. Apr. 22 EAST CAROLINA 6 p.m. Apr. 24 CLEMSON 7 p.m. Apr. 25 CLEMSON 6 p.m. Apr. 26 CLEMSON 1 p.m. Apr. 29 UNC WILMINGTON 6 p.m. May 2 at Miami 7 p.m. May 3 at Miami 6 p.m. May 4 at Miami 1 p.m. May 6 at UNC Wilmington 6 p.m. May 8 at North Carolina 6 p.m. May 9 at North Carolina 6 p.m. May 11 at North Carolina 1 p.m. May 15 STANFORD 6 p.m. May 16 STANFORD 6 p.m. May 17 STANFORD 1 p.m. May 20-25 ACC Tournament** TBD * Jax College Baseball Classic at Jacksonville, Fla. ** at Durham (N.C.) Bulls Athletic Park Closer Derrick Smith is coming off a sophomore season in which he led the Wolfpack with 8 saves. Smith totaled 41 strikeouts and only 11 walks in 29.2 innings pitched. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS