With a berth
in the College World Series on the line, UF and FSU get ready for their Super Regional challenges.
To reach the College World Series for a 3rd consecutive season, the Gators’ baseball team must slow down Wake Forest. In its 3rd straight Super Regional, FSU faces Sam Houston St.
Thanks to an incredible turnaround, the Florida State baseball team is two wins away from the College World Series.
The Seminoles (43-21) have won 18 of their last 21 games, most recently coming through the loser’s bracket to win the Tallahassee Regional. With the improbable comeback, FSU is now in its third consecutive Super Regional and its ninth in the past 10 years.
“I don’t think anyone would have expected us to be here a few weeks ago,” FSU pitcher Cole Sands said. “But, everything is happening and it’s working out good for us.”
This year is a bit different, though. It took some lucky breaks elsewhere in the country to allow FSU to host its first Super Regional since 2013.
Sam Houston State, the No. 3 seed in the Lubbock Regional last weekend, rallied through the loser’s bracket to defeat No. 5 national seed Texas Tech on back-to-back days to clinch a spot in the Tallahassee Super Regional. First pitch in the best-of-three series is at noon Saturday and the game will air on ESPN2.
The Bearkats (44-21) are on a tear of their own, having won 12 of their past 13 games. They finished the regular season third in the Southland Conference standings, rallying to win the conference tournament and clinch their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the past six years.
Despite the recent success making it into the NCAA field, this year has brought unprecedented success in the tournament for the Bearkats. This is the first time in program history they have reached the Super Regional round.
It is in extreme contrast with the school they will go up against, with Sam Houston State’s first Super Regional appearance coming against an FSU team making its 16th Super Regional appearance since the format was adopted 19 years ago.
Still, the Bearkats are not backing down from the challenge.
“This is a team that is not just happy to be here. This is not a cherry on top of our season,” Sam Houston State coach Matt Deggs said.
“Our boys are ready, they’re unafraid, they accept the responsibility, they know the stakes.
“This is a team that truly believes it’s in the business of doing the impossible.”
The Bearkats are an intriguing team to prepare for. They are among the most aggressive offensive teams in the country, entering this weekend with the fourth most sacrifice bunts in the nation (68) and the 10th most stolen bases nationally (102).
“When I saw them on tape, there was so much that impressed me,” FSU coach Mike Martin said of the Bearkats. “If you’re not on your toes, they will literally embarrass you.”
As a team, Sam Houston State holds a strong .305 batting average. Six of the nine regular members of the Bearkats lineup are hitting over .300 this season. Center fielder Bryce Johnson has a team high .350 batting average and shortstop Andrew Fregia is tied for the team lead in home runs (7) and has the most RBI (50).
Deggs did not disclose which order he would use his pitchers in for the weekend series, but Martin said FSU ace Tyler Holton (10-2, 2.22 ERA) will be the starting pitcher for the Seminoles in the opening game.
For Florida State, this Super Regional provides a chance to make the program’s first College World Series appearance since 2012, one of the longer droughts of Martin’s 38-year career in Tallahassee.
“Everything is happening and it’s working out good for us.” FSU pitcher Cole Sands