BASEBALL: Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Pittsburgh

NC State (15-6/2-1) will play its second ACC series of the 2025 season this weekend at Pitt (13-7/1-2). Game 1 between the Wolfpack and the Panthers is at 3 PM today on ACC Network Extra. Here’s a breakdown of Pitt.

Pitt Weekend Starters

Pitt’s pitching is one of the worst in the ACC, and the starters are a huge part of that problem, as seen above. As a team, the Panthers’ ERA is 5.60, which ranks 15th out of 16 in the conference. Teams are batting a whopping .279 against the Panthers.

They do have a couple of studs in the bullpen. Senior Closer Ethan Firoved has a 1.19 ERA, which ranks fourth in the ACC. He also ranks second in saves (4). Batters are only hitting .183 against Firoved. Sophomore Gavin Chillot has a 3.29 ERA, but it seems like he’s been lucky because opponents are batting .321 against him.

As a team, Pitt ranks 10th in batting average (.290) and ninth in runs.

Senior first baseman Luke Cantwell is one of the best hitters in the ACC, ranking fifth in batting average (.429), third in on-base percentage (.561), eighth in hits (33), second in doubles (11), and fourth in walks (22). Sophomore third baseman Ryan Zuckerman is one of the better power hitters in the conference, ranking sixth in the ACC in home runs (7). He is also a solid batter, hitting .349, and ranks fifth in doubles (10). Redshirt junior right fielder Lorenzo Carrier is one of the more patient batters in the ACC, ranking ninth in walks (19).

This is Pitt’s ACC home opener, and they hold a 3-1 record at home. The Panthers lost their first ACC series on the road against Georgia Tech, losing two of the three games.

Pitt is currently riding a three-game winning streak, having defeated Georgia Tech 12-10, Akron 16-7, and Kent State 17-13. They are averaging 15 runs over the last three games.