NC State's opening opponent in the Auburn Regional, No. 2 seed UCF has the ability to win the regional. Here is a preview of the Knights!
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The NCAA appearance is UCF’s second under third-year head coach Rich Wallace and the program’s 14th NCAA Regional appearance in program history. The Knights last appeared as the No. 3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tallahassee Regional and made it to the regional final that season.
AUBURN REGIONAL HISTORY: Friday’s game between UCF and NC State will mark just the second all-time meeting between the two programs, with UCF winning the lone matchup 1-0 in 1993.
UCF will also enter play holding a 2-0 series advantage over Milwaukee, but Auburn holds a slight a 7-5 advantage over UCF.
STAR TO WATCH: Senior outfielder John Smith III, a second-team All-Big 12 pick, finished second on the Knights with a .328 average.
He leads the team in RBIs (49) and is tied for the team lead in home runs with 12.
FRIDAY’S GO-TO GUY: Junior right-hander Camden Wicker leads the starting rotation with a 5-3 record, 4.00 ERA, and 61 strikeouts over 72.0 innings.
He is also limiting opposing hitters to just a .198 batting average.
The 6-foot-7 Wicker is expected to get the start against NC State.
WILDCARD: Senior catcher Zak Skinner will need to have a strong game behind the plate as he looks to limit NC State on the bases.
Skinner also is one of the team’s top hitters, as he leads UCF with a .365 average and 72 hits.
