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ACC baseball tournament 2014 preview: Terps and Florida State

After beating Virginia today, the Terps once again take on one of the best teams in the country. Earlier in the season Mike Shawaryn stifled the potent Seminoles bats. Can he prevail once again? Can the Terps extend their 10-game winning streak?

By Andrew A Kramer

Tomorrow's game against Florida State is the second one in as many days for the Terps in the ACCT. Today Maryland defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 7 - 6, which extended the Terps' winning streak to 10 games. (It also gave them 35 wins on the season, the most ever for a Terrapin baseball squad.) The Cavaliers are a top-notch squad, but so are the Seminoles. Back in March Maryland traveled down to Tallahassee, the Terps' first ACC series in 2014. Maryland took one of three games, with Mike Shawaryn (9 - 3, 2.96 ERA) registering his first ACC victory. The freshman scattered five hits over seven innings, allowing just a lone run in the 5 - 1 win. Michael Compton (7 - 1, 3.08 ERA) is the probable starter tomorrow for FSU. He threw a complete game, two-hit shutout against the Terps in March to give FSU the series win.

During the regular season FSU finished 41 - 14, 21 - 9 in the ACC. They currently sport a #3 RPI and are ranked nationally at #5 in the Coaches Poll. Florida State is led by sophomore outfielder D J Stewart, the ACC POY. Stewart hit a league-high .362 with 19 doubles, seven home runs, and 47 RBIs. He has plenty of support from his teammates, as 3B Jose Brizuela hit .309 and first baseman Jon Nogowski had a .309 BA with 46 RBIs. For a team that hits so well FSU also shows excellent plate discipline. Their 302 walks leads the ACC, as does the team's .396 OBP. Freshman CF Ben Diluzio (.297 BA) leads the team with 16 stolen bases in 18 attempts.

FSU's bullpen includes Jameis Winston (1 - 0, 1.29 ERA) as one of their closers (six saves.). Opponents are batting just .175 against him. Brandon Johnson and Dylan Silva have alsobeen effective in relief.

The only area where the Seminoles don't excel is in the field. Not that they're shoddy fielders, just not at Maryland's level. But given all the other areas in which they're at or near the top of the ACC, it's not an Achilles' heel.

Florida State defeated UNC 7 - 1 Wednesday in the ACCT. Florida State has today off before they take on the Terps tomorrow. Look for a How 2 Watch in an article tomorrow morning at TT.

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