![FloridaÕs Kevin OÕ Sullivan and FSUÕs Link Jarrett meet before the start of the game, March 10, 2026, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_203,w_3652,h_2054/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/production/270/01ksqq2tshsmrh5gx2m0.jpg "FloridaÕs Kevin OÕ Sullivan and FSUÕs Link Jarrett meet before the start of the game, March 10, 2026, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026")
Florida State will host the St. John’s Red Storm on Friday afternoon in game two of the Tallahassee Regional. The Noles opened as big betting favorites, playing at home, facing tougher competition, and having a better overall record.
There’s a reason Florida State is the No. 1 seed and St. John's is the No. 4 seed in the region. One of the biggest questions going into the game was who Link Jarrett would start in game one. I noted how he hasn’t used the “ace” of the staff in game one of the Tallahassee Regional over the past two years, and it looks like that trend will continue.
It's not shocking that Wes Mendes won't start game one of the Tallahassee Regional.
Jarrett announced that Bryson Moore will start game one. Moore is the usual Sunday starter in the rotation (No. 3 guy), but he could easily be the No. 2 behind Wes Mendes. Moore will come into the game having not pitched since the season finale against Miami. Moore was excellent in 7.1 innings, but got the loss because the Florida State offense failed to show up.
Moore made 13 starts and went at least five innings in seven of the outings. He has a solid mix of pitches and will probably be among the best arms the Red Storm has faced all year. They have not displayed an amazing offense, and the gamble that Link Jarrett is making is that he can win with Moore and probably save Wes Mendes for game two or game three, depending on the matchups.
Jarrett also said it comes down to how Moore matches up with the bats St. John's has in the lineup.
Florida State has the luxury of three really good starting pitchers, which makes them different than most in the Field of 64. The pitching has been solid all season, and most of the questions revolve around whether the offense will show up or not. Who will be in the lineup on offense is a major question as well.
Despite that, Link Jarrett believes starting Moore gives them the best chance to get out of the Tallahassee Regional unscathed. It’s worked the past two years, and if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
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