Florida State vs. Tennessee: Friday, June 14, 2024

FLORIDA STATE VS. TENNESSEE: FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 — Most pitchers prefer to be in their home park whenever possible. For this game, Florida State pitcher Jamie Arnold is probably glad he isn’t.

Pitching in Omaha gives Arnold another 15 feet to work with compared to Tallahassee’s Dick Howser Stadium, which could make a world of difference against Tennessee. The Volunteers have mashed the ball all season, hitting 173 home runs. Only the 1997 LSU team hit more home runs, and that team ended up winning the national championship.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Knoxville Regional

Of course, the Seminoles can also hit. Florida State led the ACC in home runs with 123, and they set a record for most runs in a Super Regional game in a rout of Connecticut. Tennessee will send out Chris Stamos to oppose the Seminoles’ lineup, but the Volunteers are more likely to turn to the bullpen early in the game. Stamos has never gone more than three innings in a start, so Tennessee is counting heavily on its bullpen.

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That might not be the best way to approach a CWS opener, but Tennessee coach Tony Vitello has to try something different. In two appearances in Omaha under Vitello, the Volunteers are 1-4 and have never played in the winners’ bracket past the first day.

The Odds

First Pitch

When: Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. EST

Where: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, Neb. 

TV: ESPN

Players to Watch

James Tibbs III broke out of his slump in a big way in the Super Regionals against Connecticut. The FSU slugger now has 28 home runs after hitting three blasts in the series decider against the Huskies, and he leads the Seminoles with 94 RBIs.

Arnold has averaged three strikeouts every two innings and become one of the toughest pitchers in the nation to face. In 18 starts, he’s held the opponent to one earned run or less.

Related: College World Series FAQs

Eight different Tennessee hitters have double digit home runs, but none have hit more than Christian Moore’s 32. The Volunteers tend to spread out their scoring, as any member of their lineup is capable of sending a ball over the fence or giving it a ride. As a team, Tennessee hits .310, topped by Blake Burke’s .376.

The Prediction

Florida State can play with Tennessee, and like Virginia, it kind of has to get a win here. Even though the Seminoles have a solid No. 2 in Carson Dorsey, the bullpen has had more questions than answers.

Tennessee has a history of running into top starters early and flaming out as a result. Last year, Paul Skenes shut down the Volunteers and forced them to work their way back. Two years before that, Virginia and Andrew Abbott threw the Volunteers off their game in a shutout.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Tallahassee Regional

Even though Tennessee has more power, Florida State’s lineup can’t be overlooked. Cam Smith, Marco Dinges and Jaime Ferrer have surrounded Tibbs with quality at-bats, and leadoff hitter Max Williams has four home runs in the postseason. The Seminoles can spring a surprise here.