NC State Gets Past Stetson 17-12; Season Comes to an End After Falling to Auburn in Regional Final

AUBURN, Ala - After avoiding elimination against Stetson with a 17-12 win to begin the day, NC State was unable to force a winner-take-all game seven in the Auburn Regional as they fell to the Auburn 11-1 in the regional final Sunday night from Plainsman Park to end the Wolfpack's 2025 season. The Wolfpack finish its season 35-21.

Following the regional, four Wolfpack players were named to the Auburn All-Regional Team: Alex Sosa-catcher, Josh Hogue-outfielder, Brandon Novy-designated hitter, and Ryan Marohn-pitcher.

In a rematch of the opening game of the regional, NC State out slugged Stetson, keeping its NCAA Tournament run alive after a back-and-forth affair saw NC State come from behind and score 12 runs over the last two innings, including a 10-run eighth inning.

The game was an offensive showcase, with both teams combining for 29 runs and 35 hits. The Wolfpack's offense was fueled by standout performances from freshmen Brandon Novy and Ryder Woodson, who combined for nine RBIs as Woodson had two home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam. Novy hit the Wolfpack's first inside-the-park home run since 2017.

Brayden Fraasman hit his 11th home run of the season, scoring twice, and had two RBIs.

Andrew Shaffner (4-1) came away with the win after going 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

As they did in the first regional matchup, Stetson jumped out in the lead first as bases loaded balk made it 1-0. Andrews limited the damage to just one run after getting a strikeout and pop-up to end the inning.

The Hatters' lead didn't last long as NC State immediately responded in the top of the second to take the lead as Sosa and DeCriscio singled before a bunt single from Nixon and a throwing error from Stetson allowed the Wolfpack to tie the game.

NC State took the lead after their fourth straight hit of the inning as Novy doubled, bringing in two to give the Wolfpack a 3-1 advantage. Stetson starter Dylan Jacobs would be pulled shortly after.

Trailing 8-5 entering the eighth, NC State scored 10 runs to take control of the game as every Wolfpack starter finished the game with a hit.

For Stetson, Justin Solimine (3-3) got the loss after recording just one out in a brief and difficult outing.

Stetson didn't go away quietly as they responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.

Heath Andrews got the start and went four innings, holding the Hatters to three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Stetson took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four off Jacob Dudan before Shaffner came on and got out of the jam.

With the win, NC State advanced to the regional final against host Auburn. The Wolfpack would need to defeat the Tigers twice, once on Sunday and again on Monday, to advance to the Super Regionals.

GM2 NC State vs. Auburn

It was a pitching duel to start. NC State and Auburn played the first game of the Auburn regional, which was scoreless through the first three innings. Dominic Fritton (5-6) toed the rubber for the second time in this regional and battled through three innings, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Auburn's big inning came in the fourth, as the Tigers scored seven in the frame and didn't look back. With three more in the fifth, the Wolfpack offense didn't have another 10-run inning in them and could not complete the comeback.

A sacrifice fly from DeCriscio brought home the lone Wolfpack run in the bottom of the eighth. Seniors Carson Kelly and Matt Willadsen came on to close out the game. Kelly pitched 1.2 innings, allowing just a walk with three strikeouts. For the final out of his career with the Wolfpack, Willadsen recorded his 268th strikeout at NC State, which moves him into sixth all-time in program history.

Elliott Avent, NC State head coach…
"Before I talk about Auburn, I'd like to talk about our ball club and what they accomplished this year. This is pretty much a brand-new team, and we started out slow: getting to know each other and getting to figure out how to play the game. They kept playing so hard all year, we went through some downs, went through some really good times, and in the last half of the season, they played outstanding. They played through a lot of injuries, as a lot of teams have to. They stuck with it and to be playing in the championship of a regional in Auburn is a tribute to their hard work and their fight. I just want to say how proud I am of them [NC State].

Head coach Elliott Avent now completes his 29th season with the Wolfpack and has won 35 or more games in a season for the past 10 seasons (excluding the canceled 2020 season)

NC State Gets Past Stetson 17-12; Season Comes to an End After Falling to Auburn in Regional Final

Team Stats

Josh Hogue

Justin DeCriscio

Brandon Novy

Ryder Woodson

Players Mentioned

Heath Andrews

Jacob Dudan

Brayden Fraasman

Dominic Fritton

Josh Hogue

Carson Kelly

Ryan Marohn

Brandon Novy

Andrew Shaffner

Alex Sosa

Matt Willadsen

Ryder Woodson