Florida State baseball improved to (4-0) with a dominant 6-1 win over Michigan in the opening game of the Amegy Bank Baseball Series on Friday afternoon. Wes Mendes was outstanding over five innings, the bullpen was excellent, and the FSU offense pounded out 13 hits.
FSU probably would have scored even more runs, but Globe Life Stadium is much more cavernous than Dick Howser Stadium, especially right centerfield, where a couple of balls probably would have been home runs in Tallahassee.
Nevertheless, FSU will turn the page to its toughest test early in the 2026 season when it faces the No. 9-ranked Auburn Tigers (4-1) on Saturday afternoon.
It’s a team that FSU has had a lot of history with over the years, especially in the postseason. FSU holds a 77-42 all-time record, but Auburn got the last laugh in the series, blowing the doors off FSU in the 2022 NCAA Auburn Regional. The loss led to FSU firing Mike Martin Jr. and hiring Link Jarrett, so it was a blessing in disguise.
Auburn did FSU a favor by beating them like a drum so they could go out and bring Link Jarrett home
Auburn lost in the Super Regionals last year and swept Youngstown State in a three-game series before getting shut out by Cincinnati in midweek action. They defeated Kansas State 5-1 late Friday night.
Saturday’s game will see Bryson Moore make his second start this season. He had a rough FSU debut last week against James Madison, but didn’t know he was pitching until the last minute when Trey Beard went down with an illness. He’ll have a full week of preparation knowing he’s starting on Saturday. FSU will need him to be much better than he was last week, though Auburn’s offense hasn’t been great outside of one game against Youngstown State.
FSU’s offense has been productive in the first four games, but it will face an Auburn pitching staff that’s been stingy early in the year. However, this will be the best offense they’ve faced. It’s early, but a win over Auburn would be a nice resume booster for the Noles. The game will start at 4 p.m. and air on FLOSports.