When was the last time a Florida State men’s athletic team played a game of consequence, with the contest’s result felt outside the FSU community?
Maybe an argument could be made for Georgia Tech before the football season started, losing games like it was going out of style. Certainly, that feeling never came for a game in basketball this year, with the bags packed by the start of 2025. Even baseball, while perfect on the year, played a strength of schedule 202nd in the country according to WarrenNolan.com.
But, for the first time since FSU baseball’s final game in Omaha, the eyes of collegiate athletics tonight are cast on Dick Howser Stadium. Florida State baseball renews its rivalry with Florida, the final two teams eliminated before the College World Series championship series in 2024, and two teams ranked in the top seven of every national poll, and top five in The Athletic’s.
A year ago, the Gators did not hold their end of the bargain in the regular season, before catching fire in June. FSU ran UF out of all three ballparks, sweeping the series over the national runners-up in 2023 by a combined score of 45-15.
2025 should be a different story with both teams coming off deep runs in Omaha, and reloading in the portal.
The Seminoles are one of two teams still undefeated in college baseball, along with Tennessee, but fans have raised questions in the last few days about whether the record is a paper tiger with no wins against power conference opponents. A victory tonight would cement FSU as one of the top five teams in baseball and a surefire national title contender.
Meanwhile, Florida lost All-everything 1B Jac Caglianone to the MLB Draft, but returned over half of the lineup that went to Omaha a season ago, and supplemented them with veteran transfers. The Gators are 15-2 to start the year, coming off three run rule victories over Harvard last weekend and a series win over Miami a couple of weeks ago. The Gators are bit by the injury-bug right now with 3B Cade Kurland out for an undisclosed period of time with a dislocated shoulder, OF transfer Kyle Jones out for the year, and Saturday starter Pierce Coppola out for an extended period.
These two sides are inverses in their roster construction. Link Jarrett designed FSU to excel at pitching and defense, prioritizing being tough to score on, then scoring runs, and figuring out the offense as the year progresses. Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s lineup mashes, ranking fifth in the country in doubles, 15th in home runs, and 15th in total runs scored. On the mound, though, especially with the injury to Coppola, the Gators are a work in progress, and ride by the seat of their pants to stitch together pitching.
Game times, starting pitchers, how to watch/listen:
Tuesday, March 11th, 6:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU Jr. RHP Evan Chrest (2-0, 2.87 ERA) vs. UF r-Jr. RHP Billy Barlow (1-0, 2.51 ERA)
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Keys to the game:
Can Evan Chrest and the pitching staff keep UF at bay?
Evan Chrest revitalized the mid-week start after the constant disasters a season ago. He pitches to contact, commands the game, and finds ways to get outs. If he can get through 4-5 innings without significant damage, and turn this game over to a well rested Florida State bullpen, the Noles will be in good shape. However, if UF gets to him early, their offense can make this a non-contest before fans are seated.
Can FSU avoid the strikeout?
Florida ranks ahead of FSU in strikeouts per nine innings, with 13 and 203 on the year. Florida State is at its best when FSU puts pressure on a defense and a pitching staff by getting balls in play and being active on the bases. However, the lineup struggles with strikeouts, and if UF can take the bat out of the Noles’ hands, the offense will not catch up.
What is the character of the 2025 FSU team?
Nobody can explain the “it” factor, but the 2024 team had it. Whenever the offense needed a lift or a moment called for someone to meet it, they did. The team delivered the goods in the biggest games and brightest spots last year. In 2025, the Seminoles have been so dominant that those situations are few and far between. However, when FSU gets punched in the mouth tomorrow, who will make the big play/hit/strikeout to wrestle control of the game? The next group of leadership needs to emerge tonight.
Gators to know:
RHP Billy Barlow: Barlow spent his first three seasons at Clemson, mainly used as a mid-week starter, before transferring to Gainesville. His most recent start against FAU was his best/deepest of the season, pitching 5.1 innings and racking up five strikeouts without an earned run on 71 pitches. His fastball lives around 91-93 with an ability to rear back for 94-95, while pairing a slider and changeup to go along.
RHP Alex Philpott: 7.1 IP, 1.23 ERA, 13 strikeouts in five appearances in 2025. Fastball, curveball, slider.
RHP Luke McNeillie: 12.1 IP, 5.84 ERA, 21 strikeouts in seven appearances in 2025. Fastball, curveball, change-up.
SS Colby Shelton: .348/.410/.536 in 2025 with a 10% K rate. Junior, who has started every game at SS for UF the last two years.
C Brody Donay: .442/.586/1.038 in 2025 with 8 HRs. Spent freshman season at VT before transferring a year ago. In the midst of a career campaign.
3B Bobby Boser: .349/.462/.762 with seven HRs. Spent last three seasons at USF and named All-AAC First Team in back-to-back years.
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