FSU baseball projected as No. 9 national seed in Field of 64 after Stetson loss

FSU baseball (37-13, 15-11 ACC) started as one of the hottest teams in college baseball but faltered down the home stretch, losing four of its last seven games. It's not that they've lost, but two of those losses were against Pittsburgh, one of the worst teams in the ACC. FSU has been fighting to secure a top-eight national seed in the Field of 64 and has been in position for most of the season. However, the last few games have seen their RPI slide to No. 9 nationally, and they project as the No. 9 overall seed according to D1Baseball. 

FSU has one ACC series remaining, as they will host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets beginning on Thursday. The Noles will play in the ACC Tournament after that and will likely have an opportunity to boost their resume. Georgia Tech's RPI ranks No. 48 nationally, and FSU certainly can't afford to lose the series. Interestingly, Baseball America has the Noles as the No. 7 overall seed, and that jives with how the two sites have looked at the Noles all year. Baseball America has consistently had the Noles ranked higher than D1Baseball. It should be noted, that FSU has played the last several weeks without two of their best starting pitchers, Cam Leiter and Conner Whittaker.

FSU is a different team with those two guys on the mound, not to mention Carson Dorsey has stepped in nicely in Whittaker's absence. If FSU got Leiter or Whittaker back, FSU would have three outstanding options to start in the postseason, and that would change this FSU team drastically for the better. FSU has one of the best offenses nationally, although it has tapered off down the stretch. It would be amazing if FSU could secure a top-eight seed after not making the postseason last year. It would mean they would host Super Regionals if they made it that far. The Noles have been outstanding at Dick Howser Stadium, going 25-3. What a reward it would be for FSU baseball fans if that happens. The Georgia Tech series will begin Thursday at 7 p.m.