NC State baseball continued to smash baseballs in the early part of the season, earning a second-straight victory to start the 2026 campaign at the Puerto Rico Challenge. The Wolfpack took down Indiana State 10-4 on Saturday in Ponce, Puerto Rico, quickly establishing the tone in the morning affair against the Sycamores.
It was another huge day for the transfer class that head coach Elliott Avent added to help push the Wolfpack over the top in its quest for postseason glory. It also marked a new milestone for junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Dudan, who started for the first time of the season in his new role as the No. 2 starter for the team.
Wolfpack lineup and stats
Love is in the air, and so is a Wolfpack Win! pic.twitter.com/ZVF4UrCOso
— NC State Baseball (@NCStateBaseball) February 14, 2026
- CF Ty Head: 0-3, 2 BB
- LF Chris McHugh: 2-5, 2 RBI
- 2B Luke Nixon: 1-5, RBI
- 1B Dalton Bargo: 2-5, HR
- RF Brayden Fraasman: 3-5, RBI
- DH Andrew Wiggins: 1-3, RBI, 2 BB
- SS Mikey Ryan: 1-5
- 3B Wyatt Peifer: 1-4
- C Drew Lanphere: 1-1, 2 RBI, 2 BB
RHP Jacob Dudan: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 K, WRHP Sam Harris: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 K RHP Aiden Kitchings: 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 KRHP Truitt Manuel: 0.1 IP
How the Wolfpack got it done
The DUDE’s final line in his first start in 2026.5.0 IP2 H0 R/0 ER2 K 0 BB pic.twitter.com/GyLxQfTNz5
— NC State Baseball (@NCStateBaseball) February 14, 2026
Saturday’s effort started with Jacob Dudan in his first start of the 2026 season. After primarily working as a reliever during 2024 and 2025, the strong righty started his junior year with a quality start, earning a win without giving up a run. While he struck out just two Sycamores in the victory, it was nonetheless a solid start for a player who figures to be a key part of any success the Pack might have.
Dudan’s start was boosted by another strong performance from the Wolfpack lineup, headlined once again by Tennessee transfer Dalton Bargo, who started at first base for the second straight game. Bargo smashed a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning to give NC State a lead it never relinquished. The senior is hitting .500 after two games wearing State colors…