NC State Star Reliever Derrick Smith is Starting on the DL

NC State’s Head Coach Elliott Avent revealed that junior Derrick Smith will start the season on the Disabled List, following the Wolfpack’s narrow 8-9 loss to Liberty yesterday.

After witnessing sophomore Jacob Dudan’s second consecutive challenging start to the season, questions were raised about his mindset and ability to overcome this slump.

“Well, you hope so. He’s just got too many accolades. He was unbelievable last year when nobody knew his name, and now every time he picks up a paper, I’m sure he’s seeing how he’s the best reliever in the country, and he’s this and that. This game ain’t designed that way. You’re better off when you go under, and don’t have all these expectations for yourself and all this kind of stuff.

So I don’t know if he has it or not. He’ll have to figure it out, especially with Derrick (Smith) on the DL right now, and Derrick’s not available, but I thought his stuff was good.

The good news is his stuff was good. I think he’s doubting himself a little bit right now, probably. Like I said, if he’d have got that one 3-2 pitch for the second out, or we’d have made a play shortstop or a pick at first, I think he goes in and closes out.

But you can see he’s doubting himself a little bit. He needs something good to happen, you know what I’m saying? And it almost happened, but it didn’t.

So he’s got to find a way, and he’ll be out there again, hopefully Friday night. We’ve got three great teams this weekend in Jacksonville. So this team’s got to grow fast.

I know we’re young, and I know it’s a whole new offense, but we’re going to have to get better. We’re going to have to get better fast, or there’s going to be more disappointments.”

The specifics of Smith’s injury remain unclear, as does his expected return date. Last year, as a sophomore, Smith demonstrated his potential to be a dominant reliever in the ACC. Although his yearly ERA of 4.55 wasn’t outstanding, he managed to hold opposing batters to a .181 average and struck out 41 in just 29.2 innings. During his four appearances in the NCAA Tournament, Smith secured three saves and posted a 2.45 ERA, further reducing the batting average against him to .130.

D1Baseball ranked Dudan as the top reliever in college baseball in their 2025 preseason rankings, while Smith was also highly regarded, placing seventh.

The absence of Smith has already been felt this season. Last year, Dudan and Smith formed an effective duo, with Dudan setting up in the eighth inning and Smith closing games. Smith notched eight saves by the end of the season, with Dudan adding six.

With Smith sidelined, Dudan took over in yesterday’s top of the ninth with a save opportunity but ended up with the loss after allowing four unearned runs, walking three, and hitting a batter.

The season is still young, and while there’s no immediate cause for alarm regarding Dudan’s capabilities, the prolonged absence of Smith could be significantly detrimental depending on the duration of his recovery.