Florida State baseball (2-4, 0-3) will look to bounce back this weekend against no. 16 Virginia (5-3, 1-2 ACC). The Seminoles were swept in their opening weekend series by Pittsburgh. The sweep was the first time FSU had been swept at home since 2017. The Seminoles were also shut out in game one of the series in a 1-0 loss, the first time that Florida State was shut out since their loss to Michigan in the 2019 College World Series. It won’t get any easier this weekend for FSU, as UVA boasts one of the best pitching staffs in the country.

Here are Friday’s probables:

Friday 3/5, 6:00 PM

Probable Starters: LHP Andrew Abbott (2.13 ERA, 12.2 IP) vs. LHP Parker Messick (7.36 ERA, 7.1 IP)

How to watch: ACC Network Extra

After a tough opening day, Messick bounced back in a big way last Friday. The southpaw posted a final line of 5.0 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 9 K, and 1 ER. Despite being much better, he still wasn’t his best or close to what FSU’s pitching staff has come to expect from him. In three preseason outings leading up to the season, Messick walked just one batter. The second-year freshman is at his best when he’s attacking the zone with four pitches for strikes. His curveball took a major step forward in his last outing, as he was able to drop it in for strikes whenever he wanted. His velocities also ticked up, sitting in the 92-94 MPH range and touching 95 MPH in five innings of work. If he can keep the stuff up and find the zone with more consistency, Messick’s in store for a big year.

After three strong years in the UVA pen, Abbott has made a quick and easy transition to the Friday-night role for the Cavaliers. Through two games, Abbott has given up three earned runs in 12.2 IP. He’s walked just two batters and struck out 15. The southpaw has both command and swing-and-miss in his arsenal. In 121 career innings, Abbott has posted a 3.12 ERA and a 13.4 K/9. The lefty works with a low to mid-90’s fastball. The breaking ball, a hard slurve in the high-70’s, is Abbott’s out-pitch. He’ll use it to both righties and lefties for most of his swing-and-miss. He also possesses a low 80’s changeup. Abbott has faced the ‘Noles twice, giving up three earned runs in 5.2 IP.

Matheu Nelson and Tyler Martin are both game-time decisions. If Nelson were to be unavailable, Colton Vincent will start behind the plate. If Martin can’t go, Cooper Swanson would likely DH. We will update when lineups become available.

UPDATE, 5:10 PM

FSU will have both Martin and Nelson in the lineup today.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM from Dick Howser. The game will be broadcasted on ACC Network extra. We will have updates in the game thread below, and I’ll have updates on my twitter as well from the park (@brettpn).