FSU Baseball Preview: Noles Host Wake Forest In Final Home Series
By Ty Ragans
FSU baseball will hope to ride the momentum of a five game winning streak to a strong finish. This weekend FSU will host No. 11 RPI ranked Wake Forest.
FSU baseball is in the midst of a five game winning streak. However, the level of competition will be significantly elevated in the Noles final two regular season series. This weekend FSU will host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons who currently sit at number 11 in RPI.
If FSU is able to win the series against Wake Forest, the Noles will still have a slight chance of hosting a regional as they enter the final weekend of the regular season at RPI number five, Louisville. Neither series will be easy, but the Noles should like their chances better against Wake Forest. The Deacs are 15-9 in the ACC but just 6-6 in road conference games.
Last Time Out
The Noles exploded on offense Tuesday night when facing the Jacksonville Dolphins. FSU baseball slugged their way to victory by a score of 21-2 in a game that ended after 7 ½ innings due to a mutual agreement from the coaches.
The 21-2 victory completed the season sweep of Jacksonville.
The Noles used four pitchers to get through the 8 frames. Will Zirzow was credited with the win, improving his record to 2-1 on the season.
FSU picked up the baseball well on the night as they didn’t commit a single error.
The Noles paired their 17 hits on the night with 11 walks. JU just didn’t have the horses on the mound to hold FSU down; it was a great overall offensive performance from the Noles.
Drew Mendoza absolutely belted two home runs, with one of them being a grand slam. Mendoza finished the game 2-5 with six RBI. Dylan Busby continued to see the ball well at the plate; he was 3-3 with two walks, two runs, and an RBI. JC Flowers had a great game in the field and at the plate. Flowers made an incredible throw from center field to hose a runner at the plate and also went 2-3 with two runs and an RBI.
The win improved FSU’s overall record to 32-18.
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Opponent Preview
Wake Forest baseball has surpassed pre-season expectations in 2017. The Demon Deacons are 33-15 on the season and 15-9 in the ACC. Wake is ranked number 21 by d1baseball.com, and they come into the weekend as the number 11 team in RPI.
A big reason for Wake’s success in 2017 is a potent lineup. The Deacons have six regular starters that carry batting averages over the .300 mark, including senior Jonathan Pryor who is batting a whopping .379 on the season.
Wake Forest has power bats up and down the lineup but junior Gavin Sheets leads the way with 17 home runs, 70 RBI, and an OPS of 1.059. Just behind Sheets is sophomore Johnny Aiello who has 15 homers, 39 RBI, and an OPS of 1.074. Both are left handed batters so they will be salivating at the opportunities Dick Howser stadium presents.
As a team Wake Forest has a monster number of 82 home runs in just 48 games. FSU is a very good power hitting team and the Noles have 28 less bombs than the Deacons. Simply put, these dudes can rake. Although, it should be noted that Wake Forest’s strength of schedule comes in at 35 while FSU is at number 22 in SOS.
As a team, Wake Forest carries a fielding percentage of .974 compared to FSU’s at .969. The Deacons have committed 47 errors in 48 games. FSU has committed 59 errors in 50 games.
Wake has a team ERA of 4.17 while FSU is carrying a team ERA of 4.06.
The Friday night starter for Wake is senior right hander Parker Dunshee. Dunshee has an outstanding 8-1 record on the season. Dunshee’s ERA sits at 4.21. The righty has given up 75 hits in 72.2 innings but has recorded 83 strike outs to just 17 walks in his 12 starts.
On Saturday the Noles are likely to face the right handed junior, Donnie Sellers. Sellers 3-4 on the season with a 4.23 ERA. The junior has allowed 62 hits in 61.2 innings while recording 42 strike outs to 18 walks.
Right handed senior Connor Johnstone takes the hill for Wake on Sunday’s. Johnstone is 7-0 on the season with a 3.04 ERA. Johnstone has allowed 58 hits in 74 innings while striking out 51 and walking 27, he has two complete games to his name this season.
The Noles will go with Cole Sands on Friday, Tyler Holton on Saturday, and Drew Parrish on Sunday.
How To Watch
This is a big series for FSU baseball; an electric atmosphere could give the Noles the boost they need. If you are unable to make it to the park, all three games are available to stream via ACC Network Extra. The radio broadcast can be found on 106.1 FM locally or through the Nole Gameday app nation-wide.