A Look Ahead: Jacksonville and Bethune-Cookman

 


   FSU moved up to #14 in D1Baseball.com's top 25 ranking as of Monday, April 1st. The Noles will now move on to two, back-to-back, home games this week against Jacksonville, on Tuesday, and Bethune-Cookman, on Wednesday. FSU will look to remain undefeated in the midweek, and improve upon a strong 16-1 home record.

JACKSONVILLE

    The Jacksonville University Dolphins travel to Dick Howser Stadium for the second game in the season series against the Noles. The game on Tuesday will be the 180th meeting between the two teams. FSU leads the all-time series 135-44 and were victorious in six of the last ten games these teams have played. Florida State enters this week with a record of 22-4 overall and 5-4 in the ACC putting them at third in the Atlantic division. Jacksonville will enter this contest with a 13-14 overall record, however, their 7-2 ASUN record puts them atop the conference (tied with Stetson).

    FSU won the first game of the season series on February 20th, by a score of 7-4 behind impressive days from Cam Smith (3-5, 2B) and Jaime Ferrer (2-4, 2 RBIs). Pitchers Carson Dorsey and Conner Whittaker combined for 16 Ks and 5 BBs. 

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Batting Average - FSU: .341 (#4 nationally) vs. JU: .283 (#119 nationally)

Slugging % - FSU: .589 (#4 nationally) vs. JU: .425 (#160 nationally)

On Base Percentage (OBP) - FSU: .428 (#25 nationally) vs. JU: .396 (#100 nationally)

ERA - FSU: .377 (#11 nationally) vs. JU: .690 (#212 nationally)

NOTABLE BATS:

FSU

Cam Smith, 3B: AVG - .438 (#15 nationally), OPS - 1.214, HR - 8, RBIs - 27

James Tibbs III, RF: AVG - .400, OPS - 1.308 (leads teams), HR - 11 (leads team), RBIs - 40 (leads team)

JU

Justin Nadeau, 2B: AVG - .409 (leads team), OPS - 1.068, HR - 1, RBIs - 22

Josh Steidl, C/1B: AVG - .326, OPS - 1.129 (leads team), HR - 7 (leads team), RBIs - 30 (leads team)

POTENTIAL PITCHERS:

FSU

    FSU hasn't had a consistent midweek starter since Conner Whittaker was in that role in the beginning of the season. They've used guys like Andrew Armstrong, John Abraham, Hudson Rowan, Brady Louck, and Carson Dorsey before, but all of these guys except for Louck threw some pitches this weekend against Louisville so I think Louck would have the freshest arm.

Brady Louck, LHP: ERA - 2.57, WHIP - 1.57, IP - 7.0, SO - 12, BB - 6

JU

    Jacksonville has also had some rotation at the midweek starting pitcher spot, but as of late RHP Blake Barquin has seemingly taken over that role.

Blake Barquin, 0-2, RHP: ERA - 8.31, WHIP - 1.85, IP - 26.0, SO - 17, BB - 15

Jaxson West
Photo Cred: FSUBaseball via X
KEYS TO SUCCESS:

    This seems like a game that, if FSU takes care of business and properly prepares, the Noles will win and (hopefully) pretty easily. However, if they come to play like they did on Friday last week, when they committed four errors, then Jacksonville can keep this game competitive. 
    
    JU definitely doesn't have the pitching numbers that can intimidate you (6.93 team ERA), but if FSU's bats can stay consistent as they have for much of the season (FSU averages 9.8 runs a game), then again this game should be one they take care of.

    Link Jarrett's favorite word "execution" will be what brings the Seminoles their 23rd win of the season.


BETHUNE-COOKMAN

    On Wednesday, April 3rd, the Seminoles take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats for just the 8th time in history. FSU has never lost to the Wildcats and won this game last year by a score of 10-1. This was due to great games from Cam Smith and James Tibbs III, what else would you expect? Both batted two total hits, each hitting a HR in that game.

    Bethune-Cookman has a 15-11 record overall this season as well as a 7-1 conference record which puts them in first in the East division of the SWAC.

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Batting Average - FSU: .341 (#4 nationally) vs. BCU: .279 (#142 nationally)

Slugging % - FSU: .589 (#4 nationally) vs. BCU: .357 (#268 nationally)

On Base Percentage (OBP) - FSU: .428 (#25 nationally) vs. BCU .394 (#106 nationally)

ERA - FSU: .377 (#11 nationally) vs. BCU .463 (#51 nationally)

NOTABLE BATS:

FSU

Cam Smith, 3B: AVG - .438 (#15 nationally), OPS - 1.214, HR - 8, RBIs - 27

James Tibbs III, RF: AVG - .400, OPS - 1.308 (leads teams), HR - 11 (leads team), RBIs - 40 (leads team)

BCU

Garret Chun, OF: AVG - .271, OPS - .704, RBIs - 24 (leads team)

Jose Gonzalez, OF: AVG - .358 (leads team), OPS - .903, HR - 1, RBIs - 20

POTENTIAL PITCHERS: 

FSU

    As mentioned earlier, FSU has had a group of guys that have toed to rubber this season during the midweek. I think Andrew Armstrong might jog out for the start as he only faced four batters in the series against Louisville.
Hudsan Rowan on the mound.
Photo Cred: FSUBaseball via X

Andrew Armstrong, LHP: 2-0, ERA - 5.02, WHIP - 1.40, SO - 21, BB- 4

BCU

    The Bethune-Cookman mid week arms have been Joel Core and Dylan Dudones for the majority of the season. My guess is one will start in their Tuesday game against UCF and then the other will start against FSU.

Joel Core, RHP: 0-2, ERA - 4.13, WHIP - 1.42, IP - 24.0, SO - 24, BB - 15

Dylan Dudones: 2-1, ERA - 4.19, WHIP - 1.19, IP - 19.1, SO - 14, BB - 11

KEYS TO SUCCESS:

    This is another game that FSU should, key word is should, take care of business and leave with a win. If the Noles come ready to play and they stay on top of their defensive effort, I'm not sure Bethune-Cookman has the bats to keep up with them.

    However, if the Seminole pitchers struggle with command and walk batters as we have seen periodically around the season then the Wildcats could be dangerous. BCU is #11 in stolen bases per game nationally and are a a very aggressive base running team. We saw FSU struggle against a very aggressive base running team in Louisville last Friday. A few walks allowed these talented stealers to do what they do best and get into scoring position. The fielding mistakes in that game only magnified these issues and the Noles dropped that game. 

    Again, these Seminole batters have faced much more talented pitchers throughout the season. They will have to continue to stay focused and continue to work on their first pitch discipline to generate competitive at bats. The further Bethune-Cookman will have to reach into their bullpen, the more opportunities the Noles will have to turn on some pitches and display their explosive offense.

Hopefully, FSU can avoid these mistakes and continue their undefeated midweek record

Alex Lodise
Photo Cred: FSUBaseball via X







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