NC State Softball is Building a Tougher, Deeper Team for 2026
NC State Softball: Fall Progress and Fresh Faces
Fall Ball is alive and well all across the nation, and in Raleigh, North Carolina, the North Carolina State Wolfpack is in their third week of practices with a few fall games sprinkled in as well. On Friday morning, I spoke with Wolfpack head coach Lindsay Leftwich on how things are shaping up there.
Leftwich made it very clear that she takes all of the possible time that she is allowed in the fall to get in the work needed with the team. That is really valuable, especially for the freshmen that are new to this level of softball. It is even more important when said freshmen are looking to contribute right off the bat.
“For us, I think was really valuable because I have four freshmen that are really like really doing a good job and kind of making their mark. And so we got some time with them, just like teaching them and getting a good base of what we think they are going to be and who and us just getting to know them personally,” said Leftwich. “So then when we get in this team setting, we get to coach them really specifically on what they need and like what makes them tick.”
Four of the freshmen mentioned by Coach Leftwich were Morġen Talley, Carly Short, Lily Livingston, and Carmen Montes de Oca. “I think you are going to see all four of them make an impact. All four will contribute once we start playing in spring,” she said.
Talley is a two-way player that was an NFCA All-American out of Palm Harbor, Florida. “She is going to live 67 to 68 on the mound and really carry some innings for us. Ideally, I would love to see her hit somewhere in the middle of the lineup. She is six foot tall and big strong animal and is able to do some really dynamic things offensively,” said Leftwich.
Leftwich is already noticing her transition to college and how she is starting to settle in.
“Learning to do all of those things, play first base, pitch, and hit as a freshman is really hard. It is hard to figure out how to balance your time and how in the middle of practice, you are sprinting from one place to the other,” she said. “She has definitely been part of that learning curve of feeling overwhelmed or whatever, but in the last week she has kind of come into her own, understanding what she personally needs in order to be good and successful.”
Carly Short and Lily Livingston are two infielders that are showing great signs already of major contributors. Both players have the tools and great arm strength to play anywhere in the infield, and Coach is confident that they will both find their spots and stick.
“Everyone in the recruiting world would have talked about her as a great defensive specialist. She can play any infield position and can pick it with the best of them. I would assume she finds a place on the field and stays there all year,” Leftwich said on Carly Short. “She is really skilled in the middle infield and will impact how our infield plays. That is something we have been pushing for since I got here.”
“She is throwing 73 over the top, gas. She just does some things dynamically that are hard to teach. We are continuing to grow her arm strength and all the things, but there is a good chance she finds a defensive position and stays there. I think offensively, as she sees more high-level pitching, we will see good things from her there too,” she said on Lily Livingston.
Carmen Montes de Oca is a catcher from Northern California and Leftwich describes her as “a glue kid, smart, and reliable.” The Wolfpack have two returning catchers in Ellington Whitaker and Hannah Church who played a bunch there last year, but as Lindsay Leftwich said, you never know when you will need depth, and Carmen will more than likely work herself into playing.
“Carmen will find herself in the lineup a few times this year. She is the kind of player that puts herself in a position where I have to make a decision, and that is what is cool about her.”
As for the returners, Leftwich is excited and pleased with the buy in and how everyone is moving in the right direction. When we spoke well over a month ago, Coach Leftwich had mentioned then how the team was coming together, and the upperclassmen especially were locked in.
“We needed to get going and we needed, you know, people to be bought in on what my staff’s vision of NC State softball is going to be,” said Leftwich. “And I think we finally have that and it has really shown up in a lot of cool ways from a work ethic perspective, from like a gritty, willing to do hard things perspective. And then just from embracing the newcomers and what they can bring to us.”
Returning Experience in the Field
The Wolfpack has several key pieces returning from last season who were big contributors throughout 2025. Returners such as Kendall Simmers, Taryn Massey, Hannah Church, and Teagan Thrunk are back with great defensive experience and proven production in the batter’s box as well. Leftwich is confident and excited to see her defensive lineup take shape, especially in the infield.
“We return in the infield Kendall Simmers, Taryn Massey, and Teagan Thrunk, and they all have tons of experience now. Teagan has played a lot of games, Kendall played every game last year, and Taryn came on late and did a really good job. They will make our job hard for sure on who the starting lineup is, but that is what we needed, an infield defense we can count on, and I think we finally have that.”
Simmers is one that I have been impressed with ever since I came to know a little about her. She had a great freshman season in 2025 and, barring any sophomore slump, should be one of the leaders this year.
“She has looked great. One of the hardest things is to not fall into the sophomore slump after a great freshman year. You have to learn how to be yourself but also be different because now your name is circled on the lineup card. We have talked a lot about her continuing to build on strengths and improving a few weaknesses, at-bat approach, defensive reads, and so on.
She has really embraced how to stretch herself and grow, not just be content with last year’s results. Now people know her tendencies, and it has been neat to watch her be willing to fail, work through hard things, and figure it out. She has done a great job continuing to stretch her boundaries.”
In the Circle
It all starts in the circle, and the Wolfpack have several pitchers that are working to be an important cog in that wheel. Senior Rylee Wyman returns with a bunch of experience and hopes to have a much improved year in Raleigh. Leftwich spoke on her stuff and how it is just different.
“Riley Wyman’s stuff is different. It is weird enough that people just miss. You can look at the numbers and wonder why, but she keeps doing it. Paige, our pitching coach, does a great job leaning into that, saying this works, let’s make it better, instead of forcing everyone to fit a mold,” said Leftwich.
Wynne Gore, a redshirt junior, has had quite a journey with two hip surgeries early in her career. Yet, she has stayed the course and is ready to take the next step.
“Two years ago, she probably would have laughed if you said she would throw 100 plus innings and lead our rotation. She has overcome a lot, both physically and mentally. Now she is ready to step into that leader role, lead the bullpen, lead the staff, make this team what she wants. She has willed herself into that position. She has been a bright spot this fall, especially as a vocal leader and accountable teammate.”
Leftwich has also picked up a couple of additions in the portal in Kadie Becker and Kendall Weik. Both are strong in their experience and work ethic. Pitching depth is always a plus and something that every coach aspires to have.
Transfers Bringing Depth and Energy
Speaking of transfers, the Wolfpack added a couple more that are expected to do great things for the Pack, Maia Townsend and Sarah Johnson.
Townsend comes over from LSU, where she was part of a very competitive roster in Baton Rouge. Coach Leftwich expressed great admiration for how well trained she is and what she has already brought to the team.
“Maia is very well trained. She just does not have a ton of playing experience because she was behind three great outfielders at LSU, Ciara Briggs, Ali Newland, and McKenzie Redoutey,” said Leftwich. “She learned a lot behind them, both from coaches and peers, and that has given her so much belief and autonomy. It has been really cool watching her coach the other outfielders in drills. Player-driven moments are always the most powerful.”
Townsend is also the only slapper on the Wolfpack’s roster. With her speed, she is a major threat for NC State both offensively and defensively in the outfield.
Sarah Johnson is another player who is expected to make an impact. She brings a big bat and is a lefty. One thing about Johnson is that she has a baseball background.
“Did not play softball until she was about 13 or 14. Her dad played in the big leagues, so she played travel baseball until high school. That is why she started in junior college, two really good ones actually, and she has been coached differently than most softball players. That has helped us as coaches too, learning how to cue her and communicate differently. She is throwing 70 from the outfield and hammering balls in BP. I think people are going to be very excited to watch her play.”
Offensive Identity and Approach
So what about the offensive identity of this Wolfpack team? I always like to ask that, as I am curious how a team plans to attack and score runs. Some like the long ball, some like playing station to station, while most prefer a balanced approach.
NC State has power in bats such as Hannah Church, who hit 19 home runs last season. They also have speed and small-ball potential when needed. Leftwich commented on the size of most ACC ballparks and how the potential to go big is almost always there.
“In our field, there is always a chance to go big. The ACC parks, outside of FSU, Clemson, and Virginia Tech, play pretty small. So we are always trying to hammer barrels and hit balls hard,” she said. “We are not trying to lift or sell out for home runs, but we want big exit velocity and line drives. If it gets out, great.”
Still, she emphasizes the importance of balance at the plate. Every team runs into different types of games, and versatility is key.
“I would like to see us hit more doubles, steal more bases, and be balanced. The pitching in the ACC is too good to just swing for jacks. You have to be able to flare one in for a hit on a tough day. We will focus on barrel awareness, productive outs, and moving runners. Every swing should be with intent to do damage, but not to over swing.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Going into 2026, Coach Lindsay Leftwich and the Wolfpack have been tested in seasons past. Yes, there are a lot of new pieces, but they have all been through challenges in their own ways. The standard and foundation in Raleigh have been instilled in them from the coaching staff to the returning players.
For the last two years, NC State had the number one strength of schedule in the ACC. That is a tough hand of cards to be dealt, but it has made the program stronger and toughened their mindset to do the extra things and find ways to push through.
“When you have the right people in the room, the hard things do not feel hard anymore. When you have people leading who look for the good, good, this was hard, it made us better, that changes everything,” said Leftwich.
“When people continually remind your team that tough situations are not bad, just opportunities, that is worth a win or two right there. Because when it is the seventh inning and you are tied versus Florida State, that mindset matters.
This group believes the direction we are headed is good and valuable. Our seniors have never played in a conference tournament. They want to act different, be different, love their teammates differently because they want something they have never gotten before.
We have seen huge growth in the weight room too, with our strength coach really pushing them to embrace challenges. That is translating onto the field, into the locker room, and into post-practice talks.
No matter what the season throws at us, this group will be better prepared to deal with the hard stuff, and that is on both us as a staff and them. Everyone is taking ownership to put us in that space.”
The Wolfpack will no doubt jump into the high quality Clearwater Invitational, where top teams will be waiting. We will see right off how the fall and offseason work has helped shape this Wolfpack team. 2026 has the potential to be a fun ride for the Pack.
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