While Mississippi State and Samford do battle to stay alive in the Tallahassee regional, the Florida State Seminoles will kick back and wait to see whom they will face later this afternoon. Florida State will only need a win to advance to the super regional around against the winner of the Palo Alto regional, but either Samford or Mississippi State will have to win the night cap and a game tomorrow to advance.
We will go ahead and advance the Bulldogs here on FWTCT and take a look at what the future will hold.
The Seminoles got off to a slow start with the bats Friday against UAB, winning yet another one-run game this season. Scott Sitz drew the start, pitching 4.1 innings. Gage Smith also came out of the bullpen, hurling 3.2 innings before handing it over to Robert Benincasa for the save. James Ramsey, the ACC player of the year, did the damage with the bats, going 2-4 with 2 RBIS.
In Saturday's action against Samford, Brandon Leibrandt drew the start, going eight innings, striking out ten. Hunter Scantling closed out the game. The Seminoles built a large lead through six innings, and they sealed the game in the seventh. The lead combined with Leibrandt's dominance allowed Florida State to rest their bullpen, so most everyone in the bullpen should be ready for action today and tomorrow if needed. In fact, Leibrandt might be the only pitcher out of action the rest of the way for Florida State.
The Seminole bats came to life against Samford. Leadoff man Sherman Johnson went 2-4, scoring three times and driving in a run. Ramsey went 2-3 with four RBIs, and Jayce Boyd picked up two hits and two RBIs. Johnson and Ramsey also found the long ball for Florida State.
The Bulldogs should expect Mike Compton (10-2, 2.88) to get the start later on tonight with Peter Miller (5-2, 3.98) waiting for a potential Sunday showdown.
Florida State will face the Game 5 winner at 5 CT. If the Game 5 winner wins Game 6, a winner-take-all matchup will be played Monday at 5CT. The Seminoles have not lost a regional finale since 2008.
I caught with Florida State beat writer Corey Clark of the Tallahassee Democrat earlier this week on the Daily Grind. You can list to his interview here.