After a winless week, including getting swept by Georgia Tech on the road, Florida State (24-11, 9-6) returns home to face off against Stetson (14-21, 5-9) to try to snap a four-game losing streak.
It has been a long 72 hours for FSU since they last played, and the bus ride back from Atlanta was certainly not a pleasant one for the Seminoles. On Saturday, the Noles were run ruled for the first time this season, en route to a largely uncompetitive three-game sweep at the hands of Georgia Tech. While
there is little shame to losing to a GT team that is one of the best in the country, the lack of game management, both at the plate, on the mound, and on the bases, is cause for concern. Head coach Link Jarrett has tried to pull as many levers as he can to spark his group, but he still lacks the solutions for how to get the best out of them. The good news for the Seminoles is they are 4-1 in ACC weekend series, and their schedule is about to get a lot easier down the stretch. Hopefully, Jarrett can find the answers to the test against what should be weaker competition before the end of May.
Turning the attention to tonight, the Noles should be in good shape on the mound with the resurgence of LHP Cooper Whited. After LHP Payton Manca went down, there was a vacuum at the mid-week starter spot that Whited took over and ran with. Against Florida, Whited made his longest appearance of the season, 4.1 IP on 69 pitches, while allowing two runs and not walking a batter. Behind Whited, the Seminoles bullpen should be fresh with the extra off day on Sunday after playing Thursday-Friday-Saturday last week.
Florida State will also benefit from playing a reeling Stetson team. The Hatters lost their weekend series, though they won on Sunday, and are 1-4 in their first five ASUN series on the year. In the first matchup between FSU and Stetson, Jarrett’s club pulled away after being tied 2-2 through five with a two-run homer from Noah Sheffield in the sixth and two runs in the seventh to take the midweek matchup, 6-3.
Tuesday, April 14, 6 p.m. vs. Stetson
- Pitching matchup: (Expected) FSU Jr. LHP Cooper Whited ( 1-2, 3.48) vs. TBA
- How to watch: ACC Network Extra
- How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM/seminoles.leanplayer.com
Hatter hitters to know
- R-Jr. 2B Juan De La Cruz: Slashing .327/.486/.400 in 33 games this season…Named All-ASUN Second Team in 2025…Went 1-3 with two walks in first matchup.
- Sr. OF Landon Russell: Slashing .295/.372/.418 in 34 games this season…Leads Stetson in total bases with 51…Went 2-5 in first matchup.
- So. OF Foster Apple: Slashing.288/.385/.415 in 34 games this season…Named All-ASUN Freshman Team in 2025…Went 1-4 with a double and RBI in first matchup.
