FSU Baseball Preview: Noles Host Jacksonville In Final Midweek Game
By Ty Ragans
For the third time in 2017 FSU baseball will face Jacksonville University. The Noles won the first two meetings and will be looking to sweep on Tuesday.
FSU baseball will face a familiar foe when Jacksonville University comes to town on Tuesday. The Noles and Dolphins have already met twice this season, once in Jacksonville, and then in Tallahassee three weeks later. Both games resulted in one run victories for FSU.
The Dolphins will likely be extra motivated on Tuesday as they most certainly feel like they let FSU off the hook in both of the previous games. This will be FSU’s last non-conference midweek game of the season and they will look to pick up some momentum as they approach two important ACC series to end the season.
Last Time They Met
These two teams first faced off this season on February 28th in Jacksonville, which feels like forever ago. In that meeting JU got out to a 3-0 lead after the first two frames. The Noles would combine for three runs of their own in the 4th & 5th innings, only to allow Jacksonville to take a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the seventh. But once again, FSU answered with a three spot in the top of the 8th. The Noles were able to secure a 6-5 victory, JU almost certainly feels they gave this game away as they committed four errors on the night to FSU’s zero.
Three weeks after that first game, the two teams met again on a Tuesday night in Tallahassee. This time Jacksonville looked to jump on FSU in a way that wouldn’t allow a comeback. Starting pitcher for FSU, Andrew Karp, was only able to record two outs as Jacksonville put up a seven spot in the top of the 1st. FSU would rely on a strong performance from their bullpen to keep them in the game as they chipped away at the lead.
The pen came through, allowing just two more runs, only one of which were earned. FSU had narrowed the lead to 9-7 when the bottom of the 9th rolled around, that’s when J.C. Flowers capped off a three run frame with a two out-two RBI single into left, giving the Noles a 10-9 walk off victory. If JU felt like they let the first one slip away, imagine how they felt blowing a seven run lead. The Dolphins will be looking to avenge their two close defeats when they come to Tallahassee on Tuesday.
Opponent Preview
Since the last time these teams met, Jacksonville is 16-8, bringing their overall record to 27-20. That 16-8 run includes a 13 game winning streak. The Dolphins are 11-4 in conference play.
JU has a team batting average of .274 with an on base percentage of .359 and a slugging percentage of .367. In their 47 games, Jacksonville has hit just 20 home runs.
Leading the way at the plate for Jacksonville is sophomore Angel Camacho. Camacho has a slash line of .336/.378/.503 with six home runs and 33 RBI. Just behind Camacho is senior outfielder Nathan Koslowski. Koslowski’s slash line reads .332/.405/.472 with four homers and a team leading 36 RBI.
The Dolphins don’t pick up the ball very well as they have a team fielding percentage of .961. Jacksonville’s team ERA sits at a solid 3.93.
Jacksonville’s starting pitcher is the right handed sophomore Mike Cassala. Cassala is 0-2 on the season with a 6.57 ERA. The sophomore has 14 K’s in 12.1 innings while allowing 18 hits and five walks.
FSU will go with the right handed junior, Will Zirzow. Zirzow is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA. In 32 innings pitched Zirzow how allowed 26 hits while striking out 38 and walking 16.
How To Watch
With only four home games left, you’re running out of chances to catch the Noles in person this season, so first pitch is at 6:00 if you can make it. If not, the game will be available to stream on ACC Network Extra. The radio broadcast is available on 106.1 FM locally and the FSU Game Day app nation-wide.