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FSU Baseball Series With Miami a Must Win For Both Schools

By Jason Parker

Jun 20, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes pitcher Frankie Bartow (52) sits in the dugout after losing to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. UC Santa Barbara won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Miami Hurricanes pitcher Frankie Bartow (52) sits in the dugout after losing to the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. UC Santa Barbara won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU baseball faces longtime rival Miami in a series this weekend that could be the most important one in their all-time history based on this year’s woes.

In two days, one of the best rivalries in all of college baseball will get back to action when FSU baseball heads down to Coral Gables for a three game set against the Miami Hurricanes. It’s another edition of the series between two teams who are arguably the best in the entire sport over the last four decades.

Don’t believe me? Take a look at the numbers over the 40 seasons between 1977 and 2016:

  • Florida State has made 15 of their 21 all time College World Series appearances over that span (including eight between 1991 and 2000) while Miami has gone to Omaha 24 of their 25 all time trips over the last 40 years.
  • The teams have combined for seven of their nine total title game appearances over the span – including the classic 1999 title game they faced each other in.
  • Miami has been selected to the NCAA Tournament each season while FSU has stayed home just once – back in 1977.
  • Since the Super Regional round started in 1999, FSU baseball has made it to college baseball’s “Sweet 16” 15 of the 18 seasons – while Miami has gotten their 10 times.
  • The teams are ranked second (FSU) and third (Miami) in all time winning percentage in Division 1 Baseball and are ranked in the Top 25 for all time wins – all while each playing less than 70 seasons total.

Like they say, the numbers never lie. Unfortunately, the numbers aren’t helping either team during the 2017 season. After a series win this past weekend against Clemson, the Seminoles come into this series with a record of 23-15 and continue to remain unranked – a far cry from a team who was projected to head back to Omaha and at one point was ranked No. 1.

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As for the Hurricanes, things are slightly worse down in the 305. Miami limps into this weekend’s clash with a 17-19 record – something that has only been helped by going 6-4 over their last 10 games after a stretch earlier this season where the lost eight of 10 games over a stretch that included setbacks to “powerhouses” like Rutgers, FIU and Dartmouth.

For both FSU baseball and Miami, this is a weekend that will make or break the season. The Seminoles are in the middle of a gauntlet of games that included 10 of their last 13 games being against ranked foes with three more coming next weekend against Virginia. Miami, meanwhile, also takes on the Cavaliers later this season along with games against FIU and Florida Gulf Coast – teams who are 4-0 against them this season.

They are two programs rich in history…rivals that have dominated the sport…but none of that matters in 2017. What matters is that both programs are experiencing quite the different season from what they are used to. Yes, they have played in Super Regionals, College World Series and even for a title. But this weekend – at a crossroads for both the Seminoles and Hurricanes – could be the most important three games in the 66 years they have battled.

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