FSU baseball: Reaction to Noles getting No. 8 seed in Field of 64

FSU baseball (42-15) learned they earned the No. 8 overall seed in the Field of 64 NCAA Tournament on the path to the College World Series. The Noles will host the Tallahassee Regional, which consists of No. 2 seed Alabama, No. 3 seed UCF, and No. 4 seed Stetson. FSU will face Stetson on Friday, May 31st, at noon, and Alabama will face UCF at 6 p.m. The winner of those two games will play on Saturday, June 1st at 5 p.m. The winner of that game will advance to the regional finals on Sunday, June 2nd at 6 p.m. ET. It's the first time the Noles have hosted a regional since 2018, when they were eliminated by losses against Samford and Mississippi State. FSU fans have staved for the Noles to become title contenders again after some lackluster years in the Mike Martin Jr. era and last year in Link Jarrett's first season, where FSU missed the postseason for the first time since the late 70s. FSU baseball fans are ecstatic about the opportunity to host regionals and Super Regionals if the Noles advance.

I like this draw for FSU baseball. I like playing the early game on Friday, as it will give the team more time to rest before the second game. The Noles played Stetson twice in the regular season, splitting the series, but that was with FSU not using their weekend pitchers. FSU played Alabama in two six-inning scrimmages in the fall, splitting the series. However, both teams are likely different now after a year of experience. FSU didn't play UCF in the regular season, but is familiar with the Knights, losing two games against them in the 2023 regular season. FSU has the offense to hang with anyone, but it'll come down to their starting pitching and bullpen. Jamie Arnold is among the nation's best starters. However, Connor Dorsey has been shaky in his last few outings, and Conner Whittaker is building himself after missing several weeks due to injury. Starting pitcher Cam Leiter is building himself back from injury and may be available out of the bullpen in limited action. FSU plays solid defense and has a good shot to make Super Regionals for the first time since Mike Martin Sr.'s last season in 2019 when they ultimately reach the College World Series if they play well.