FSU baseball improves its record to (8-2) with a 2-0 win over The Citadel on Sunday afternoon. The win completed a series sweep and capped a nice week after going 1-2 last weekend.
Many FSU baseball fans are down about this FSU baseball team, and it makes sense. They haven’t looked dominant through the first 10 games. However, despite the offensive woes over the weekend, I saw some encouraging things that still have me optimistic.
First, let me say in no way am I saying this team is going to make the College World Series and bring home that elusive National Title. However, I think there’s some pieces to make this team much better than it has been showing early this season.
FSU hitters need to start having better at-bats, and the success will follow
The series against The Citadel finally gave us the weekend starting rotation we expected in the preseason. Wes Mendes, Trey Beard, and Bryson Moore were outstanding and a big part of why FSU won the series.
They pitched 17 IP, allowed six hits, 15 strikeouts, three walks, and one earned run. Each starter went at least five innings, saving the bullpen and limiting damage. The bullpen was good, and both had to because the offense didn’t do much all weekend.
Here’s the thing with the offense. It’s still early, and there’s lot of new faces. However, FSU has guys who proven they can hit. Myles Bailey, Cal Fisher, Hunter Carns, Chase Williams, and Brody DeLamiellure proved it last year. I believe Cal Fisher moving back to third base should help his bat. Sometimes playing a position that you’re not fully comfortable with can affect other parts of your game. DeLamiellure has to be healthy, and Chase Williams seems to finally understand his speed is his most valuable asset.
Eli Putnam might have gotten that monkey off his back, finally getting three hits this weekend. He has proven he can hit in the past. Noah Sheffield needs to continue to gain experience, and he’ll be fine. Gabe Fraser and Brayden Dowd will be fine as the season goes on. Kelvyn Paulino Jr. needs to continue gaining experience.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this offense will be as explosive as the past couple of years. However, it should be good enough to win a lot of games, especially if the starting pitching holds up. As Link Jarrett pointed out in the post-game presser, they hit a lot of balls hard for outs. As guys get healthy and find some confidence, I like the offense to start showing up a bit more.