With no midweek games, FSU baseball got some much needed rest this week. This weekend they will take on the Pacific Tigers in a four game series.
With the University having finals this week, FSU baseball was free of any midweek games. We are at the tail end of a long season so any type of rest is surely welcomed. The time to rest is up though as FSU will look to finish strong to bolster their position in the post season.
The Noles carry a record of 27-18 on the season; they’re 11-12 in the ACC. Most publications project the Noles to make the post season as a two or a three seed.
With series against Wake Forest and Louisville, the opportunities to boost the resume are there. However, the Noles must first take care of business this weekend when they take on the Pacific Tigers in a four game series.
Last Time Out
The last time FSU took the field they dropped two out of three in a home series with number 13 Virginia.
The Noles were in good shape when they took the first game by the score of 6-4 behind a solid showing from the bullpen and the home runs of Dylan Busby, Taylor Walls, and Drew Mendoza.
The second game was a complete wash for FSU and one they’d like to forget. The Noles lost 8-0 and were outhit by Virginia by a tally of 16 to two.
In the rubber match, FSU got themselves in a hole early as starter Andrew Karp was unable to record an out in his first ever weekend start, surrendering four runs in the first inning. The Cavaliers would tack on a run in each of the next two innings to extend their lead to 6-0. FSU showed some resiliency and fought back, but ultimately it was not enough to overcome the first three innings, Virginia won by a final score of 7-5.
Opponent Preview
FSU baseball will be facing an unfamiliar opponent this weekend as the Pacific Tigers will make their way to Tallahassee from all the way in Stockton, California. The 2017 season has been a struggle for the Tigers as they carry an overall record of 15-26. Pacific is just 4-17 in the West Coast Conference.
The series was originally set to be just three games, but with one of the three games against Stetson being canceled and no midweek games this week, the teams decided on a double header Saturday to make it a four game series. Considering the Tigers struggles, FSU baseball will be looking to sweep all four games to avoid taking a big RPI hit.
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Pacific does not pick up the baseball very well, their team fielding percentage is .954. We know that defense has not been FSU baseball’s strength this season to say the least, and Pacific has been worse in the field than the Noles.
As a team the Pacific Tigers carry a batting average of .252, an on base percentage of .356, and a slugging percentage of .377. The Tigers have scored 201 runs and hit 35 home runs in their 41 games on the season.
Leading the Tigers at the plate is freshman infielder James Free who has a slash line of .326/.399/.607. Free leads the team in home runs with 10 and RBI with 36 on the season. Just behind Free is junior Mathew Tarantino. Tarantino has a slash line of .304/.372/.536 with six home runs and 23 RBI.
Pacific has just one pitcher that carries an ERA below 4.00, sophomore lefty Ricky Reynoso. In 350.1 innings of work, Pacific pitchers have allowed 406 hits and 166 walks while recording 230 strike outs. For comparison’s sake, FSU pitchers have allowed 379 hits and 145 walks while recording 404 strike outs in 401.1 innings pitched.
Full statistics for Pacific can be found here.
How To Watch
The season is winding down and opportunities to catch the Noles in person are as well. If you can make it out to the park this weekend it should be a good time. If not, all games are available to stream on ACC Network Extra, the radio broadcast can be found on 106.1 FM locally and the FSU Gameday app nation-wide. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM, with Saturday’s first game set to start at 2:00 and the second game of the double header scheduled for 6:00. Sunday’s first pitch will be an early one at 12:00.
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