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Opening Weekend Rotation Set For NC State in Puerto Rico

With baseball season here, the Wolfpack is ready to show off its top arms in the opening three games of the season.
Tucker Sennett|
NC State Wolfpack players meet on the mound during an eventful first inning against the Stetson Hatters during the NCAA Baseball Regional Tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Friday May 30, 2025.
NC State Wolfpack players meet on the mound during an eventful first inning against the Stetson Hatters during the NCAA Baseball Regional Tournament at Plainsman Park in Auburn, Ala., on Friday May 30, 2025. | Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

NC State is set to begin the 2026 baseball season in the Caribbean at the Puerto Rico Baseball Challenge, playing three games against fellow Division I programs on the island territory over the course of the next few days. While the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, feels a long way away, the journey starts on Friday for the Wolfpack against Washington.

With the series set to get underway, NC State revealed its opening weekend rotation for the Challenge. Three different opponents offer a more unique situation for the Pack, as every day will look a little different, but it will still trot out the expected weekend starters despite the shifting teams. Who are the opening starters?

Friday vs. Washington: Junior LHP Ryan Marohn

The Wolfpack's ace is the first member of the team to take the mound, facing a talented Washington Husky team that is entering its second season under head coach Eddie Smith. Marohn is an absolute workhorse, capable of working late into games and striking out countless opposing batters when his stuff is working.

Across 14 starts in 2024, the lefty amassed an 8-3 record with a 3.38 ERA. He struck out 91 batters, while walking just 19 in 85.1 innings of work. He will now be one of the key pieces for the Wolfpack. He'll try to build on those numbers and keep things rolling early in 2026.

Saturday: Junior RHP Jacob Dudan

Jacob Dudan
May 23, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; NC State Wolfpack pitcher Jacob Dudan (41) throws in the fifth inning against the Duke Blue Devils during the ACC Baseball Tournament at Truist Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

After two seasons working primarily as a reliever, Dudan is ready to take a leap as a starter in his third year with the program. Leaning on Marohn and other members of the staff helped Dudan build confidence during the offseason. His first opportunity to start in 2026 comes against Indiana State on Saturday. It's safe to say the talented righty is ready for the moment.

"I'm super excited to get the opportunity to start this year," Dudan said. "I'd say the only thing that I really changed is working on how to go deeper into games. I've been building up to spring, throwing up to 65 pitches. Just learning how to keep the velocity up, maintain it and figure out how to use all four pitches... And command all four pitches."

Sunday: Junior RHP Heath Andrews

Andrews is set to be the first Sunday starter of the season for the Wolfpack despite an up-and-down sophomore season. Across 14 starts, he accumulated a 4-3 record, 6.02 ERA, 53 strikeouts, 22 walks and 64.1 innings pitched. With a full season of starting under his belt, he'll look to use that experience against Seton Hall of the Big East.

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Tucker Sennett
TUCKER SENNETT

Tucker Sennett graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Sports Journalism from the esteemed Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. A former basketball player, he has gained valuable experience working at Cronkite News and brings a deep passion for sports and reporting to his role as the NC State Wolfpack Beat Writer On SI.

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