Florida State needs to be careful this weekend as the Seahawks always field a competitive team and have already won two games against the ACC this season, albeit that team was Wake Forest. UNCW is only two years removed from playing in the post season and are a team that can take this series due to the fact that Florida State is still trying to find its footing early on in the season.
OFFENSE:
This offense to date is not what fans have been accustomed to in years past but they have to realize just how inexperienced it is. So far 40% of the team's plate appearances have come from players who have never made a D1 start before this season and 33% have come from true freshman. That youth is part of the reason why we are seeing such a large number of strikeouts so far, that the end of last season the Noles only had three players who finished with a strikeout percentage greater than 20%, Deluzio, Sansone and Gonzalez. This season the number of players that are striking out with that frequency is eight.
Every starter but DJ Stewart is struggling with the strike zone right now and unfortunately that has hindered the centerfielder's production. So far DJ is walking every third plate appearance and with runners on base he has walked in 9 of 19 plate appearances. Opponents would rater take their chances with other players than let FSU's best player beat them and until other players step up the offense is going to struggle.
PITCHING:
The pitching has not been that much better than the offense so far this season. The starting pitching has fared well given they do not have a true ace on staff yet. The outlook isn't great though as they are still searching for reliable arms since veteran Bryant Holtmann has not pitched up to expectations. In eight games this season starters have only thrown 38 innings, allowing nearly a hit per inning (8.52 H/9) but do have a respectable strikeout to walk ratio (3.18 K:BB). What can't continue is starters going less than five innings per start because the bullpen is not at a great place right now.
In fact the relief pitching for Florida State this season has been terrible and it is hard to find some silver lining because half of the innings thrown have been from returners. In 31 relief innings the bullpen is allowing more that hit per inning (9.29 H/9) and what is really alarming is the 24 walks issued in only 31 innings. Florida State cannot be competitive and win ballgames if they don't have pitchers who can thrown strikes.
Game 9 - UNC Wilmington February 27
First Pitch: 4:00 p.m. ET
FSU Starter: RHP, Mike Compton (0-0, 0.90 ERA)
UNCW Starter: RHP, Nick Monroe (1-0, 3.86 ERA)
Radio: 106.1 FM - Tallahassee
TV/Internet: Web - Noles TV
Game 10 - UNC Wilmington February 28
First Pitch: 2:00 p.m. ET
FSU Starter: RHP, Boomer Biegalski (1-1, 3.75 ERA)
UNCW Starter: RHP, Ryan Foster (1-0, 3.86 ERA)
Radio: 106.1 FM - Tallahassee
TV/Internet: Web - Noles TV
Game 11 - UNC Wilmington
March 1 First Pitch: 1:00 p.m. ET
FSU Starter: RHP, Cobi Johnson (1-1, 5.00 ERA)
UNCW Starter: RHP, Evan Phillips (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
Radio: 106.1 FM - Tallahassee
TV/Internet: Web - Noles TV
The weather should be absolutely perfect this weekend which is good if you are local because none of the games are televised. The only way to watch is if you subscribe to Noles TV, it isn't a bad deal at $3.99 per month. Our guys will be in the press box providing the play by play and recaps.
Florida State should take this series but with the way they have been playing expecting a sweep isn't really reasonable. The Noles have a lot to work on before conference play opens up next weekend. See everyone back at 4PM.
Go Noles!