Florida State Seminoles vs Samford Bulldogs: Live Game Thread 7PM

By RaysnNoles Jun 2, 2012, 4:00pm EDT

#1 Florida State Seminoles vs #3 Samford Bulldogs

Dick Howser Stadium, Tallahassee, FL - 7:00 PM

Fsu_logo_medium Samford_logo_medium

Inside we have yesterday and today's brief recap, pitching probables and a look at the offenses.

GAME 1 - #Mississippi State Bulldogs vs #3 Samford Bulldogs

Four home runs, including three that provided a four-run eighth inning, coupled with a strong performance by pitcher Charles Basford guided Samford to a 5-0 win over Mississippi State in the opening game of the NCAA Regional in Tallahassee on Friday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium at Mike Martin Field.

GAME 2 - #1 Florida State Seminoles vs #4 UAB Blazers

Pitching, defense and a little timely hitting was the perfect combination for Florida State (44-15) Friday night as the Seminoles opened the 2012 NCAA Tallahassee Regional with a 2-1 victory over UAB (32-29) on Mike Martin Field inside Dick Howser Stadium.

GAME 3 - #2 Mississippi State Bulldogs vs #4 UAB Blazers

Clinging to a one-run advantage midway through the game, Mississippi State broke away with a substantial five-run inning in the sixth to stave off elimination and defeat UAB, 8-1, on Saturday afternoon in day two of the NCAA Regionals in Tallahassee at Mike Martin Field inside Dick Howser Stadium.

GAME 4 - #1 Florida State Seminoles vs #3 Samford Bulldogs

PITCHING PROBABLES:

Freshman LHP Brandon Leibrandt (FSU) vs. Senior RHP Josh Martin (Samford)

It looks like a great pitching match on the surface as both pitchers have very similar numbers. Martin from Samford has pitched 20 more innings than the freshman and is more used to pitching deep into games. Something that the Noles desperately need from Leibrandt after using their best relief pitcher last night for three plus innings. Getting eight plus innings out of their starter in their first game means the Bulldogs pen is well rested if they need to go to it.

OFFENSES:

Fans are starting to get a little disgruntled with the offense of the Noles and rightfully so. While they were able to get 10 runners on base yesterday it seemed that coming up with a timely hit was impossible to come by. But it is the playoffs and this is a good offensive ball club, if they keep up the approach all season I have no doubt that the runs will come.

If there was any doubt to the legitimacy of the Samford offense they were put to rest Friday afternoon. I realize that Stratton had terrible command of his pitches but the mistakes he made the Bulldog sluggers took advantage of. This lineup features seven right handed hitters so it will be very interesting to see how the freshman lefty approaches them and if he can make it through this tough lineup multiple times.

WEATHER:

There doesn't seem to be any issues, game time temperature will be about 85 degrees and dropping once the sun goes down. No forecast for rain at all.

PREDICTION:

It really is hard to go against Samford right now, they owned a good MSU team yesterday and have their ace well rested for today's' game. Florida State is struggling right now on offense and really has to pick it up. The Noles need a quality start out of Leibrandt today or they could be playing early tomorrow in a game they don't want to be in. This game really is a coin flip in my opinion, the Seminoles have the ability to win this game easily but haven't shown it in quite sometime.

See everyone back here at 7PM for a live thread as this game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Go Noles!