Offensive Surge Continues for No. 14 NC State, Defeating Akron 18-3

Wednesday, February 25

Raleigh, NC

3 p.m.

NC State

7-1

Akron

3-6

Akron

NC State

Offensive Surge Continues for No. 14 NC State, Defeating Akron 18-3

2/25/2026 8:56:00 PM | Baseball

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RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State put up 27 runs on Tuesday, which marked the fifth-most runs scored in a game in program history. On Wednesday, NC State Baseball's offense kept rolling with an 18-3 victory over Akron from the Doak in seven innings.

The Pack (7-1) put up 12 hits while walking 12 times with only four strikeouts. Freshman Rett Johnson went 3-4 with an RBI, and Chris McHugh extended his hitting streak to eight games with a double and three RBI on the afternoon.

Ty Head hit four home runs in 56 games last season. In just 23 at-bats in 2026, Head hit his fourth home run after leading off the game with a solo shot. Brandon Novy connected for his first home run of the season, while Luke Nixon finished the game with three RBIs for the second time this season.

In the two midweek games following the 1-0 loss to Princeton, the Wolfpack has put up 45 runs on 34 hits, including nine doubles and six home runs, with 21 walks.

Wolfpack pitching has silenced opponents so far this season, and starting pitcher Luke Hemric (1-0) was no exception. In his first collegiate start and only second appearance of the season, Hemric pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, walking two, and striking out two.

NC State entered the contest with the third-lowest ERA in the country, and following Wednesday's contest, Wolfpack pitching has a 1.72 ERA.

Before Akron's three-run sixth inning, Wolfpack pitching had thrown 16 scoreless innings. Akron didn't see its first hit until the fifth inning.

Head took the third pitch of the game deep to right field for a 1-0 lead. It was Head's second home run in as many days. The Wolfpack's seventh first-inning run of the season came on an RBI double by Brayden Fraasman.

Three straight walks in the second loaded the bases for McHugh. The visitors turned a double play, allowing the third Wolfpack run to score. Johnson used his speed to score on a wild pitch.

Three more walks in the third inning led to more Wolfpack runs as Johnson beat out an infield single for an RBI, and Head hustled to reach on a fielder's choice, also scoring an RBI. McHugh cleared the bases with a two-run double.

The sixth inning has been the highest-scoring inning of the season for the Pack, with 19 runs scored. Wednesday was no different, as they put seven runs on the board. Novy started the scoring with a home run, and then Zip errors allowed NC State to add pressure and score runs from McHugh, Nixon, Fraasman, and Lanphere. It was Novy back at the plate, adding the final run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.

Following Hemric, Julien Peissel entered the game. Akron scored three runs on four hits off the redshirt junior. Ryder Garino came in and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. Akron loaded the bases in the top of the seventh but did not score as Collins Black came on and secured the run-rule victory by getting the final two outs.

NC State will now prepare for a three-game series against Sacred Heart at the Doak, beginning on Friday, Feb. 27^th, at 3 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.