Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

Florida State Baseball begins their quest for Omaha and the College World Series today at 7pm, when they take on Bethune Cookman. The Noles are looking to rebound after a disappointing showing at the ACC Tournament. The good news for Seminole fans is that FSU has only made the CWS when they HAVEN’T won the ACC Tournament. The rest of the Tallahassee Regional at Dick Howser Stadium features Mississippi State and Stetson.

The full NCAA Regional Preview is available in PDF format here.

The starting pitchers for FSU hold the key. Michael Hyde and Ryan Strauss will have to find some of their early season magic if the Seminoles plan to advance to the next round. Bethune Cookman should be a victory for FSU, but Stetson is a very good, very under the radar team that could give FSU fits. Mississippi State has a history of giving FSU and Mike Martin fits, so this is no cake-walk for the Noles.

And, if the Noles do make it out of the regional bracket (and the forcasted rain for Tallahassee on Saturday) they’ll get to face the winner of Coastal Carolina’s bracket in the Super Regional. The likely foe? Clemson, who has been happy to beat down FSU all season. But that’s all IF FSU’s bats warm back up and FSU’s pitching finds its way.

Oddly enough, Omaha’s newspaper has gone out and predicted FSU to beat Texas to win their first CWS, however I’m betting Madcow over at SectionB won’t be owing any steaks to anybody.

Regional News:

Quotes from all Tallahassee Regional Coaches.

Posey’s move to catcher, key for the Noles.

Regional is a who’s who of coaches.

Other Quick News:

Tony Thomas, Jr. is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.

Thomas, Posey and Henry were named All-Americans (pdf).