Chop Chat
Fansided

FSU Baseball Preview: Noles Host Clemson Desperate For ACC Series Win

By Ty Ragans

Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a baseball bat laying on the field during the Arizona Diamondbacks game against the San Francisco Giants during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a baseball bat laying on the field during the Arizona Diamondbacks game against the San Francisco Giants during opening day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

FSU baseball is hoping to save their season after a rough start. It won’t be an easy task with their remaining schedule, starting with number four Clemson.

FSU baseball is laboring as we approach the most difficult part of the schedule. The Noles just can’t seem to get things going in 2017. FSU is carrying an overall record of 21-14 with an ACC record of 7-8.

The 40 win season streak will be coming to an end this season. It’s unlikely FSU will be hosting a regional, and the Noles are in danger of missing out on the post season entirely. Yesterday I wrote a piece on what FSU needs to save their season. If the season is to be saved it has to start happening this weekend at home against Clemson.

Let’s hope that the retiring of, FSU legend, JD Drew’s jersey on Saturday will be the spark that finally ignites the flame of the 2017 FSU baseball season.

Last Time Out

FSU baseball just can not find a way to take down the rival Florida Gators. After Tuesday’s 10-7 loss at home, the Noles have been swept by the Gators in consecutive seasons. UF has now beaten FSU in 10 of the last 11 meetings. UF baseball owns FSU at the moment, and boy was that painful for me to type.

Tuesday’s game was different from recent meetings between the two teams. Lately both teams have had trouble putting up runs against the others, but that wasn’t the case on Tuesday.

FSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first behind a lead off homer from Taylor Walls and an RBI double from Drew Mendoza. UF would answer the next inning with four runs of their own to take the lead, FSU would then scratch two more across to tie the game at 4-4. A six run fourth inning made it 10-4 Florida, FSU would try to make it interesting but the game was out of reach as it ended 10-7.

More from FSU Baseball

Opponent Preview

The Clemson Tigers are having a stellar season under second year head coach Monte Lee. The Tigers are 29-5 overall with a 9-2 ACC record and a number four ranking on d1baseball.com.

As a team, Clemson is batting .282 with a .391 on base percentage and .431 slugging percentage. The Tigers have accumulated 36 home runs in 34 games played.

Clemson’s most dangerous hitter is superstar, Seth Beer. While Beer’s batting average has dropped this year, he’s still getting on base and slugging the baseball. Beer has nine home runs on the season and an OPS of 1.007.

Clemson has three players hitting over .300 with their best statistical hitter being junior outfielder Reed Rohlman. In 33 games, Rohlman carries a slash line of .365/.459/.546.

Full season statistics for all Clemson players can be found here.

Starting on the mound for Clemson on Saturday will be junior lefty, Charlie Barnes. Barnes is having a great season with a 4-2 record, a 1.51 ERA, and 67 K’s to just 10 BB’s in 53.2 innings pitched.

On Sunday, FSU will face sophomore RHP, Alex Eubanks. Eubanks is 5-2 on the season, with a 2.92 ERA, and 50 K’s to seven BB’s in 52.1 innings.

In Monday’s series finale FSU will face senior southpaw Pat Krall. Krall is 6-0 on the season with a 3.09 ERA and 36 K’s to 12 BB’s in 46.2 innings.

It is unknown if FSU will use Drew Carlton as a starter on Sunday or as an extended reliever in the first two games, it will be interesting to see how it works out.

How To Watch

It should be a beautiful weekend at Dick Howser Stadium, so if you’re able, pack the house for some good baseball. The JD Drew jersey retirement will begin at 6 PM on Saturday with the game starting shortly after, the game can be streamed on ACC Network Extra. Sunday’s game will begin at 2:00 and will also be available on ACC Network Extra. Monday’s finale starts at 7:00 and can be seen on ESPNU. All games can be found locally on 106.1 FM or nation-wide on the FSU Game Day app.

Home/FSU Baseball