North Carolina State University Athletics
Thursday, April 2
Raleigh, NC
7pm
NC State
vs
North Carolina
Wolfpack to Host UNC for Rivalry Series
4/1/2026 12:45:00 PM | Softball
RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State softball team is scheduled to host RV/- UNC for its fourth conference series of the season starting on Thrusday, April 2 at 7pm at Dail Softball Stadium.Â
The two teams will face off on Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 1pm with all three games being streamed on ACCNX.Â
Saturday's game is SOLD OUT but fans are still able to purchase tickets for Thursday and Friday.Â
The Series History With The Opponent
The two teams will face off on Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 1pm with all three games being streamed on ACCNX.Â
Saturday's game is SOLD OUT but fans are still able to purchase tickets for Thursday and Friday.Â
The Series History With The Opponent
- Thursday marks the 61st all-time meeting and the weekend marks the 17th series between the in-state foes.
- Separated by just 25 miles, the Wolfpack trails in the series, 26-34 and have only won three of the last 10 meetings. The Pack has also won just five of the prior 16 series ('05, '06, '07, '13, '14).
- The last time the Pack beat UNC was last season in game two of the series when the Pack won 5-4 (also happened to be on coach Leftwich's birthday).
- Four members of the current Pack roster combined for 13 of the squads 23 hits in the series: Kendall Simmers, Hannah Church, Taryn Massey, MaKayla Marbury, Teagan Thrunk, Ellington Whitaker. Massey led all hitters with five hits throughout that weekend.
- The last time the two met in Raleigh was 2023. When playing the Tar Heels at home, the Pack is 9-13.
- be the second win over the Tar Heels under Leftwich
- be the 22nd of the 2026 campaign
- be the 27th win over the Tar Heels in program history
- be the 77th under Leftwich
- be the 180th in ACC play in program history
- be the 297th at Dail Stadium
- be the 673rd in program history
- be the second of the 2026 season
- be the fifth under Leftwich
- be the sixth over the Tar Heels in program history
- be the 51st ACC series won in program history
- be the 52nd in program history
- Two current members of the Tar Heel roster and one staff member used to sport red before switching to baby blue. Grad student Michele Tarpey (2022-25), junior Carly Maxton (2023-25), and Director of Ops Brittany Jackson (2022) all played for the Pack.
- Tarpey and Maxton were pivotal to the Pack's success in 2024 as both were key contributors.
- Jackson spent her fifth year of eligibility with the Pack and helped keep the defense on lock in the outfield while also producing at the plate.
- In February of 2026, Wolfpack Nation lost one of its own, 14 year old Grayson Ketchie (KETCH-ee) - a lifelong fan of the Wolfpack. He battled several rare diseases and pneumonia prior to his passing. Zebra print if the 'color' for rare diseases and several members of the Pack wear a ribbon in their hair or on their glove to honor Grayson. Even before his passing, the team decided to play for - now in honor - him during the 2026 season.
- The Ketchie family could be found front row at Dail Stadium cheering on the team as well as many other NC State sporting events. His parents still regularly attend softball games and continue to support the Wolfpack.
- Prior to Thursday's game against the Tar Heels, Grayson's parents will be throwing out an honorary first pitch to celebrate their son and the impact he had on the softball program.
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballKayla's Comeback
Wednesday, March 11
#BehindThe20 with former Pack Stars Abbie Sims and Renada Davis
Wednesday, April 24
Softball: Players Presser (2/15)
Thursday, February 15
Softball: Coach Leftwich Presser (2/15)
Thursday, February 15