Florida State Baseball set for midweek duel against Texas Tech

As a result of getting rained out two of three times against NC State, the Florida State Seminoles (19-6, 7-1) have scheduled two games against the Texas Tech Red Raiders (20-8, 8-1) this week at Dick Howser.

The 'Noles are coming off another weather shortened weekend, only able to complete one of three scheduled games against Boston College. In that win, Mike Compton, Jim Voyles and Tyler Warmoth combined for the first shutout handed out by FSU. Freshman outfielder Jackson Lueck continued to play red hot, and should find him self in the lineup during these next two days due to the recent emergence. After going 3-4 against BC, Lueck's season average went up to .444. Jim Voyles continues to have success out of the bullpen, only allowing one earned run in 26 innings pitched to go along with 32 strikeouts.

The Red Raiders are fresh off a weekend sweep against Kansas State, which has placed them in some top-25 polls. The Florida State pitchers will be tested against TTU as they have five different hitters with four or more home runs, led by junior outfielder Stephen Smith who has seven. They also have four everyday hitters with a batting average of .315 or higher with sophomore Tanner Gardner leading the way with a .432 average in 95 at bats. Their only struggles come in the field, as they have committed 34 errors in their 28 total games.

On Tuesday, Drew Carlton (4-1, 3.49 ERA) will take the mound for Florida State opposing TTU lefty pitcher Erikson Lanning (1-2, 7.32 ERA). So far this season, the 'Noles are a perfect 2-0 when facing a starting left handed pitcher. Lanning pitches to contact and has given up 27 hits in his 19 2/3 innings pitched. Carlton is tied for the team lead with 4 wins and has walked the fewest batters amongst qualified staff members.

On Wednesday, it will be a matchup of two lefties as FSU will send out freshman Cole Sands (3-2, 2.92 ERA) against the Red Raider's Ty Damron (2-1, 6.04 ERA). The junior from TTU will be making his team leading seventh start of the season, and has been unpredictable to say the least. In his 22 1/3 innings pitched, the southpaw has allowed 23 hits while walking 11 and striking out 20. He also has thrown four wild pitches and hit three batters. Sands, a Tallahassee native, will be making his seventh start of the season. Sands, much like Lanning of TTU, is a contact pitcher, only striking out 15 batters. He has also walked 15 others while allowing 19 hits.

Both games will start at 6:00 PM EST from Tallahassee, Florida, and as always, Tomahawk Nation will have full coverage of the midweek series.