No. 12 Hurricanes Set for Rivalry Weekend in Tallahassee
April 20, 2012
No. 12 Miami Hurricanes vs. No. 2 Florida State Seminoles April 20-22, 2012 | Friday: 6 p.m. | Saturday: Noon | Sunday: Noon | Dick Howser Stadium |
|
|
Miami 26-11 (12-6 ACC) |
Florida State (30-7, 16-2 ACC) Twitter: @FSU_Baseball |
| Hurricanes in the News … Saturday’s Game Time Changed to Noon No. 12 Canes Surge Past Stetson 3-2 The Captain’s Log: Take Advantage Jay, Sanchez Highlight MLB Opening Week Canes Drop Heartbreaker in Blacksburg |
Attending a Game at Alex Rodriguez Park Visit Miami Miami Weather Directions Tickets |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The No. 12 University of Miami Hurricanes make their return to Tallahassee for a three-game series against the second-ranked Seminoles of Florida State that could have major implications on postseason play. Florida State, who took two of three games in last season’s series on the road in Coral Gables, has racked up an impressive 16-2 record through their first 18 conference games and a 30-7 overall mark.
The Seminoles enter the series at the top of the Atlantic Division, while the Hurricanes (26-11 overall) are tied atop the Coastal with North Carolina at 12-6. The Hurricanes have played no other opponent more so than the Seminoles, who lead the all-time series 140-121-4.
Last Time Out…
The Hurricanes salvaged a home series against the Seminoles by taking the series finale at Alex Rodriguez Park by a final score of 5-1. Former starter E.J. Encinosa pitched six strong innings in the Sunday matinee, striking out nine batters and allowing zero runs.
Miami was powered offensively by a 3-for-5, two-RBI performance from Rony Rodriguez and a 2-for-4 showing from outfielder Dale Carey. The Canes pounded out ten hits against Florida State pitchers on the day (May 1), improving to 16-7 in the ACC with the win.
Return of the Mack…
Since the team’s series opener with then-No. 3 North Carolina, no player has had more sizable of an impact than junior outfielder Chantz Mack. The Homestead, Fla. native, who has started all eight games since, has recorded team-highs of 12 hits and 10 RBI over that span, hitting a team-best .375 (12-for-32).
Mack singled in two runs in the top of the ninth in the series finale against the Hokies to give the Hurricanes their first lead of the game, and also recorded two RBI’s in the series opener in Blacksburg as well. He has risen his average over 40 points in the process, from .242 to his current .287. Mack is also riding a five-game hitting streak into Tallahassee.
Scouting the Competition: Florida State…
The Seminoles have put together another impressive campaign through their first 37 games of 2012, boasting a 30-7 overall record and a 16-2 mark in conference play. The Noles, who hold the all-time series advantage over the visiting Hurricanes, are ranked in the Top-5 of nearly every major collegiate baseball poll.
Two unlikely stars for the Noles have emerged in freshmen starters Brandon Leibrandt and Mike Compton, who have earned spots as No. 1 and No. 2 in this weekend’s rotation. Leibrandt has a 2.68 ERA through nine starts, while Compton boasts a perfect 6-0 record through his first nine.
Offensively, Florida State has been led by junior Jayce Boyd (.393 average, 39 RBI’s), senior James Ramsey (.391 average, nine homeruns) and junior Devon Travis (.347 average, 23 RBI’s).
GAME 1: FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 6 p.m. (ESPN3.com)
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: LHP Eric Erickson(6-3, 2.91 ERA) vs.FSU: LHP Brandon Leibrandt (3-1, 2.68 ERA)
GAME 2: SATURDAY, APRIL 21, Noon (ESPN3.com)
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: RHP Eric Whaley (3-2, 2.56 ERA)vs.FSU: RHP Mike Compton (6-0, 3.09 ERA)
GAME 3: SUNDAY, APRIL 22, Noon (Comcast/CSS)
PROBABLE STARTERS
MIAMI: LHP Steven Ewing (4-0, 1.95 ERA) vs.FSU: RHP Scott Sitz (2-2, 2.86 ERA)
