Can FSU baseball remain unbeaten hosting Florida Gulf Coast?

FSU baseball (10-0) will put its undefeated record on the line when they host Florida Gulf Coast (4-7) in midweek action. The Noles defeated Western Michigan in their last outing, and FGCU avoided a series sweep loss against Xavier on Sunday. Aside from the Xavier win, FGCU defeated Bethune Cookman twice and defeated the Miami Hurricanes. They haven't looked anything like the team that won two of three games against the Noles last season. FGCU hitters are batting .281 with a .387 on-base percentage. They strikeout in 25 percent of their at-bats, and have 52 walks to 100 strikeouts. FGCU will start Wake Forest transfer Derek Crum, a lefty who's thrown three innings this season with a 6.00 ERA. He pitched one inning against the Noles in 2023, allowing no run and one hit. This game will be his first start this season, and he has four strikeouts, two walks, and batters hit .333 against him. Defensively, FGCU has a .966 fielding percentage. FSU will counter with Conner Whittaker on the mound for his third start.

Whittaker has been outstanding, striking out 14 batters and only walking two in 11.1 innings. Whittaker is FSU's most consistent pitcher in the strike zone and will usually go five to six innings. FSU's offense hasn't scored fewer than seven runs all season and looks to keep that streak going Wednesday evening. It looks like they have another favorable matchup against Crum, who I don't expect to last too long because he's only pitched a handful of innings. I'll be looking to see who FSU brings in from the bullpen, which is an area FSU has to find consistency. Defensively, FSU has been much better through 10 games, and Whittaker will give the defense opportunities to work since he's not a huge strikeout guy in most outings. The game will begin at 4 p.m. ET and will air on ACCNX. FSU baseball fans can also listen on the radio at WFLA 100.7 FM.