FSU baseball game thread vs UGA in Athens regional: Saturday - 7:00 PM

Florida State smashed FAU on Friday afternoon thanks in part to a season-high 6 homeruns in a 13-7 victory. The host Bulldogs took care of business against Mercer last night after scoring 8 runs in the first inning and routing the Bears by a 13-3 score. The ’Noles are rewarded with their win by facing the best pitching prospect in college baseball in the arm of Emerson Hancock. If eligible for this year’s MLB draft taking place next week many believe he would be the first overall pick. The sophomore finished second in the SEC in ERA, has a minuscule WHIP of 0.78, allowed fewer extra-base hits (11) than games started (13) and has an impressive 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio. He was however roughed up in his last start in the SEC tournament and did miss a recent start with an injury.

The Seminoles will counter with their best starting pitcher, C.J. Van Eyk who has been excellent in the last month of the season. Spanning his past five starts the sophomore has 48 strikeouts in just 25 innings. If he can minimize his walks, 14 in the same time-frame, and rely on his ability to induce groundballs he gives FSU a chance to compete in tonight’s matchup.

This evening’s game is about as “must win” as it gets. Even with a loss the Seminoles are guaranteed at least one more game but they, nor any other team with a loss, has the pitching staff to rival Georgia’s for the remainder of the regional.

#3 SEED FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES | ACC At-Large | RPI: 50

FSU Overall: 37-21 // ACC: 17-13 // Home: 28-9 // Away: 8-10 // Neutral: 1-2 // Last 10: 5-5 NCAA Tournament: 57th Appearance (42nd Consecutive)

vs.

#1 SEED GEORGIA BULLDOGS | SEC At-Large | RPI: 3

UGA Overall: 45-15 // SEC: 21-9 // Home: 29-3 // Away: 13-10 // Neutral: 3-2 // Last 10: 7-3 NCAA Tournament: 12th Appearance (2nd Consecutive)

Lineups

Florida State

Georgia

Pitching Matchup

Florida State

RHP CJ Van Eyk - 9-3, 3.74 ERA

Georgia

RHP Emerson Hancock - 8-2, 1.56 ERA

Tonight’s game will air on ESPN2. A radio broadcast of FSU games can be found on 106.1 FM in Tallahassee, as well as online at FSU Gameday App. Link to Live stats