No. 5 Florida State baseball (31-9, 12-6) takes on No. 3 Clemson (36-10, 13-8) in a College World Series-type matchup this weekend, once again attempting to anchor their resume with a critical series win. Both of these teams are coming off weekend defeats, but were not dropped far in the D1 rankings for their losses.
The Seminoles wasted a golden opportunity to secure their first top-20 road series win of the season after beating Louisville in game one last week and leading the Cardinals midway through game two. However, Link Jarrett’s team capitulated down the back half of the series, and after getting run-ruled by UL, their third mercy rule loss this season, FSU must find a way to take this series over the Tigers to feel confident in hosting later in the month.
Meanwhile, CU lost all three games to NC State last weekend for their first weekend loss of the season. The Tigers have found ways to win all season, securing weekend victories over Wake Forest, Louisville, and Stanford and wins against Georgia and South Carolina. In ACC play, they have not hit for average, ranking 12th in the conference in batting average and 12th in slugging. However, with enough elite talent and some superior pitching on the mound, including RHP Aidan Knaak, who earned First-Team All-ACC honors last season, they have become one of the most consistent teams in the country and a difficult matchup.
Game times, starting pitchers, how to watch/listen
Game one: Friday, May 2nd, 6:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU Jr. LHP Jamie Arnold (5-1, 2.39 ERA) vs. CU So. RHP Aidan Knaak (6-1, 4.80)
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Game two: Saturday, May 3rd, 6:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU r-Jr. Joey Volini (8-1, 2.65 ERA) vs. CU So. Drew Titsworth (4-1, 3.62)
How to watch: ACCN
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Game three: Sunday, May 4th, 2:00 PM EST
Pitching matchup: FSU So. Wes Mendes (5-2, 5.43 ERA) vs. TBA
How to watch: ACCNX
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Jr. CF Cam Cannarella: .300/ .451/.438 with more walks than strikeouts and team-leading 48 hits. Projected 1st round pick, named Third-Team All-American in 2024.
So. 2B Jarren Purify: .311/.444/.490 with team-leading 22 stolen bases.
Sr. OF Dominic Listi: .286/.509/.407 with 48 walks and 26 strikeouts. Fifth year of college baseball, but first season at Clemson after spending time at Indiana State University.
