Florida State baseball, ranked No. 10, is gearing up to secure the series against Duke this Saturday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium. With a 20-5 overall record and a solid 6-1 in the ACC, the Seminoles are riding high after a 3-1 victory in the series opener.
In that game, Wes Mendes was the star of the show, delivering a masterful performance on the mound. Mendes struck out 12 batters over 6.2 scoreless innings, earning his sixth win in seven starts.
His dominance set the tone, while John Abraham came in to close it out, allowing just one run over 2.1 innings and picking up his third save. Together, they tallied an impressive 16 strikeouts, showcasing a pitching clinic that kept Duke at bay.
Looking ahead to the next matchup, the probable starters are RHP Jack Hedrick for the Seminoles and LHP Trey Beard for the Blue Devils. Beard, making his sixth appearance and fifth start, has been a force on the mound this season.
Despite a tough outing against NC State where his pitch count soared, he still managed to strike out seven in just 3.2 innings. With a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings and 35 strikeouts, he's been a challenge for hitters, who are batting just .160 against him.
On the other side, Hedrick is set for his second career start. In his debut against Virginia Tech, he gave up three runs over three innings.
This season, the towering right-hander has pitched 20.1 innings, posting a 3.98 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 13 walks. It will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure against Duke's lineup.
As Florida State aims to clinch the series, all eyes will be on the mound. With both teams showcasing strong pitching talent, fans can expect another tightly contested game.