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FSU Baseball Preview: Noles Host Stetson in Midweek Game

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 /
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Fresh off a big ACC series win against Clemson, FSU baseball is set to host the Hatters of Stetson University in a midweek non-conference game.

FSU baseball is finally healthy and it showed in their offensive performance against Clemson last weekend. The series victory over Clemson has improved FSU’s overall record to 23-15 and 9-9 in the ACC. FSU still has work to do to make the post season but the series win against Clemson is a massive boost to the Noles otherwise weak resume.

The last month of the FSU schedule is daunting. The Noles have series left against three top 20 teams, including the season finale at number two, Louisville. On top of the series against tough opponents, FSU also has to travel to arch-rival Miami this weekend.

Before facing the challenge of such tough ACC series to finish the season, FSU hosts a midweek non-conference game against the Stetson Hatters.

Last Time Out

Last weekend’s series victory against Clemson was by far the most impressive display of the season for FSU. Clemson entered the weekend with a 29-5 record, a fourth place ranking, and were yet to lose a road series all year.

After Clemson stymied FSU’s nine run comeback on Saturday to win the opening game of the series 12-10, many were worried about the psyche of the FSU squad. The Noles answered the bell and were able to come back the next two days for their biggest victories of the season.

Sunday’s game was a complete effort from the Noles as they won 7-3 behind home runs from Taylor Walls, Quincy Nieporte, and Dylan Busby. Tyler Holton was phenomenal once again as he went eight innings against a dangerous Clemson lineup.

Monday’s rubber match was a thriller. Clemson jumped on the Noles early once again with a three run homer from Seth Beer in the first. FSU would take a lead of their own in the fourth off of a Dylan Busby bases clearing two out double. Clemson responded with two solo home runs in the 6th to tie the game at five a piece. FSU retook the lead 7-5 in the seventh with a Cal Raleigh solo homer and a bases loaded walk. Alec Byrd was the story of the game as he threw three great innings without allowing an earned run.

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Opponent Preview

It hasn’t been a banner year for Stetson baseball. The Hatters enter Wednesday’s game with an record of 16-22. However, Stetson is 6-3 in the Atlantic Sun conference. The highlight of Stetson’s season to date is a series win over Florida Gulf Coast. You may also remember the Hatters were up on Florida 10-1 but that game was called due to weather and will not be rescheduled.

As a team, Stetson is batting .263 with a .342 on base percentage and a slugging percentage of .349. The Hatters have hit just 13 home runs in 38 games. Sophomore Jack Gonzalez is Stetson’s best hitter. Gonzalez carries a slash line of .325/.388/.465 with three home runs and 20 RBI.

As a team Stetson carries a fielding percentage of just .964.

Will Zirzow will be getting the starting nod for FSU on Wednesday while it is expected to be freshman lefty Austin Bogart for Stetson. On the season Stark is 0-3 with a 8.47 ERA. Bogart has allowed 25 hits in 17 innings pitched and has 17 strike outs to 11 walks.

How To Watch

You can make it out to Howser for some midweek baseball or you can stream the game on ACC Network Extra. The radio broadcast will be on 106.1 locally and the FSU Game Day app nation wide. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00.

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