The race to Omaha starts now.
The college baseball season begins Friday with all four local ACC teams taking the field on opening day.
No. 11 North Carolina and Duke, both coming off Super Regional appearances, will both throw the first pitch of 2026 at home. The Tar Heels will host Indiana at 4 p.m. to start a three-game series, and the Blue Devils will host Maine at 4 p.m. to also begin a three-game bout.
No. 17 NC State and No. 21 Wake Forest will begin the year in Puerto Rico as the Demon Deacons will face Houston at 9:30 a.m., and Wolfpack will play Washington at 2:30 p.m.
Before North Carolina’s ACC representatives play ball, here’s a quick preview of each squad.
North Carolina
Last year: UNC followed a 2024 College World Series appearance with a 46-15 record and an ACC tournament title. The Tar Heels fell short of another World Series bid, though, losing to Arizona in disappointing fashion in its own Super Regional.
What’s new: UNC is welcoming 16 new faces, including seven transfers and nine freshmen. Former Duke catcher Macon Winslow, former North Dakota State infielder Jake Schaffner, former George Mason outfielder Owen Hull and former Stony Brook first baseman Erik Paulsen were named amongst D1Baseball’s top 50 transfer hitters.
Biggest losses: The Tar Heels took huge losses including pitcher Jake Knapp, catcher Luke Stevenson, first baseman Hunter Stokely, second baseman Jackson Van De Brake and shortstop Alex Madera.
Top returners: Gavin Gallaher, who started at third base last year and recorded team highs in hits and RBIs, is a key returnee for a new-look roster.
NC State
Last year: NC State finished last spring 35-21 with an exit in the NCAA Auburn Regional. The Wolfpack were in the mix for the regular season ACC title after going 17-11 in league play.
What’s new: The Wolfpack are bringing in 18 newcomers, including nine transfers with intriguing experience and accolades. Dalton Bargo, a utility player, is coming in from Tennessee after hitting 14 home runs and 40 RBIs in 2025. Infielder Sherman Johnson, a transfer from McLennan CC, appeared in the JUCO World Series and was named the event’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Johnson hit .319 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs last year. NC State is also welcoming former three-year James Madison starter Wyatt Peifer and a small contributor from LSU’s 2025 national championship team in Mikey Ryan.
Biggest losses: NC State will be without Josh Hogue, who finished second on the team in hits (71) and tied with Brayden Fraasman with the most home runs (11). Andrew Shaffner, who posted an ERA of 3.13 and a WHIP of 1.07, is a huge hit to the pitching corps.
Top returners: Returning Chris McHugh, who was arguably NC State’s most reliable hitter last year, and Fraasman, especially if he can improve his batting average, could be huge for the Wolfpack’s offense this season.
Wake Forest
Last year: Wake Forest went 39-22 and met its end in the Knoxville regional after a loss to Tennessee.
What’s new: Wake Forest brought in five transfers, highlighted by former VMI hitter Boston Torres and former UNCW pitcher Cam Bagwell, who achieved a 9-2 record with 62 strikeouts and a 3.07 ERA as a freshman. Most of the new additions are freshmen, including JD Stein, the No. 1 shortstop prospect in Indiana, and Marcelo Harsch, the top pitching prospect from New Jersey.
Biggest losses: The Demon Deacons lost shortstop and hits leader Marek Houston to the MLB Draft. Outfielder Ethan Conrad was drafted right after Houston in the first round, and pitcher Joe Ariola, who struck out 40 batters in 24.2 innings last year, also moved on to the pros.
Top returners: Pitcher Blake Morningstar will be a key piece to the Wake Forest bullpen after posting an ERA of 3.87 and a 6-2 record last year. Kade Lewis will also return after performing as the team’s second-best hitter last spring.
Duke
Last year: Duke got to host a Super Regional and was one run away from a College World Series berth after falling to Murray State 5-4. The Blue Devils ended the season 41-21 record, winning 40 games for the second consecutive year.
What’s new: Former Wake Forest assistant Corey Muscara is taking over as the Blue Devils’ new head coach with his new staff. With that change came a new-look roster. Duke added over a dozen transfers, with the most coming after Muscara’s arrival. The big hitters included Michael DiMartini from Dayton (.403 batting average and 14 home runs in 2025) and Cider Canon from Davidson (.371 batting average and 17 home runs last year).
Biggest losses: In addition to Winslow, the Blue Devils took big hits with former coach Chris Pollard taking the Virginia job. Duke lost two-way player Kyle Johnson, outfielder AJ Gracia and power hitter Sam Harris to the Cavaliers. Ben Miller, last year’s hits leader, also graduated out of the program.
Top returners: Tyler Albright, who finished third in hits and recorded 10 home runs last season, could be an important keep for the Blue Devils.
