The No. 14 Florida State baseball team is set to face its toughest test of the season on Friday when it plays against the Michigan Wolverines in their first game at the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Globe Life Field is the home of the Texas Rangers, and it will be the first time FSU plays in an MLB stadium since 2018.
The Seminoles are 3-0 to start the year and have picked up back-to-back run-rule victories. It is a meeting of two historic programs. FSU ranks 5th all-time in college baseball with 3,123 wins, and Michigan is 4th at 3,127 wins, despite playing 153 seasons to FSU’s 79.
Michigan is 3-1 to start the year and has played several close games, outscoring its opponents 20-15. They are hitting .299 as a team with one home run and a .398 on-base percentage.
The two programs have not met since 2019, when the Wolverines beat them 2-0 in the College World Series. Before that, they had not played since 1995, with the Seminoles winning the six previous meetings to take control of the all-time series 7-2.
Follow along for live updates from FSU baseball’s game against Michigan on Friday.
Final: FSU 6, Michigan 1
Gabe Nard closed it out for the Seminoles in the ninth inning. Michigan ended the shutout with a leadoff homer off of Cooper Whited, who hit the next batter he saw and was replaced by Nard. An error allowed another runner before Nard retired the next three batters to end the game.
End 8: FSU 6, Michigan 0
The Seminoles were unable to add on in the eighth inning, but will have a six-run lead to protect in the ninth inning to earn the win.
Cooper Whited keeps FSU’s shutout alive
The first batter he saw doubles, but Cooper Whited kept the shutout going with a lineout to Jace Estes at second base, keeping it a 6-0 FSU lead. Michigan has three outs to tie or take the lead.
FSU’s Cooper Whited is taking over for John Abraham
Cooper Whited replaced John Abraham in the top of the eighth with two outs after Abraham hit a batter. It was the only runner he allowed in 2 1/3 innings.
FSU is unable to score in the 7th
Florida State had a great chance to add on in the bottom of the seventh after Gabe Fraser and Brody DeLamielleure started it with a single and a double. That is where they finished as Jace Estes grounded out, Chase Williams struck out, and Brayden Dowd flew out. They are 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position.
FSU’s John Abraham has a perfect 7th
John Abraham has been perfect since replacing Wes Mendes, retiring all five batters he has faced. FSU’s pitchers have allowed just two base runners in seven innings of work. They have struck out eight batters.
End 6: FSU 6, Michigan 0
The Seminoles scored three runs in the sixth inning to take control. Brayden Dowd drove in two runs with a double, and Cal Fisher drove in the third with a sacrifice fly.
FSU 5, Michigan 0: Seminoles break it open
The FSU Seminoles added two more runs in the sixth inning on a double by Brayden Dowd, which drove in Jace Estes and Chase Williams. The hit forced another pitching change by Michigan.
FSU’s John Abraham replaces Wes Mendes
John Abraham took over for Wes Mendes in the sixth and retired the first two batters he saw.
Wes Mendes’ day is done
Wes Mendes’ start is done with one out in the sixth inning. He did not allow a run in five 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and a walk to go with seven strikeouts. He threw 89 pitches, including 60 strikes.
Wes Mendes has Michigan scoreless through 5
Michigan had its first scoring chance in the fourth, and Wes Mendes made sure they didn’t get another one in the fifth. He struckout the first two batters before a catcher’s interference put one runner on, and Myles Bailey ended the inning with a nice play on a grounder. Mendes has seven strikeouts through five innings on just one hit and a walk.
End 4: FSU 3, Michigan 0
Florida State got some breathing room with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Jace Estes has two RBIs to lead the offense, while Gabe Fraser has a triple and a double in his first two at-bats. FSU is hitting .308 (4-13) with runners on.
FSU 3, Michigan 0: Noah Sheffield delivers
Noah Sheffield delivered for the Seminoles, getting a two-out single to drive in Jace Estes from third and give FSU more breathing room. It was their first hit with two outs of the game.
FSU 2, Michigan 0: Jace Estes adds on
For the second time this game, Jace Estes drove in Gabe Fraser with a single to centerfield. The duo has four of FSU’s five hits off of Michigan and is responsible for both runs.
FSU, Wes Mendes escape a jam
Michigan had its first scoring threat with the first two batters reaching in the fourth. Wes Mendes was able to keep it a 1-0 FSU game, striking out one batter before two flyouts ended the inning, including a great leaping catch by Myles Bailey.
After 3: FSU 1, Michigan 0
Neither offense was able to get anything going in the third despite both drawing a walk. FSU’s Wed Mendes has yet to allow a hit, recording four strikeouts on 43 pitches.
FSU’s Wes Mendes works around leadoff walk
Michigan got its first baserunner of the game with a leadoff walk in the third inning. Wes Mendes was unaffected, striking out two batters to end the inning, and made a good play on a bunt to get an out at first.
FSU leads Michigan 1-0 after two innings.
Florida State took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. They have three hits through two innings and have several loud outs, but are hitting just 1 for 6 with runners on base. Wes Mendes has dominated on the mound and has yet to allow a Michigan baserunner to reach.
Jace Estes gives FSU the 1-0 lead over Michigan
FSU has scored the first run of the game. Gabe Fraser started the bottom of the second inning with a leadoff triple off the wall and scored on a single by Jace Estes, who is making his first start of the season. He fouled off four pitches before singling to center field.
FSU pitcher Wes Mendes is in control
Mendes has been in complete control through the first two innings, needing just 26 pitches to retire Michigan in order, and has yet to allow a base runner. He has two strikeouts.
FSU wastes early scoring chance
The Seminoles had a great scoring chance in the bottom of the first with Brayden Dowd and Noah Sheffield reaching to start the inning. That was where they ended as Myles Bailey, Cal Fisher, and Hunter Carns went down in order.
Wes Mendes perfect in the 1st
Mendes had a good top of the first inning, retiring the side in order. He struckout one batter and used 18 pitches in the inning, throwing 13 strikes and five balls.
Michigan baseball’s starting lineup vs. FSU
Righty Tate Carey is getting the start on the mound for Michigan. The sophomore allowed three runs in five innings against Oregon State in his first start of the season. He allowed seven hits and issued one walk, striking out five batters.
FSU baseball’s starting lineup vs. Michigan
Wes Mendes is getting the start for the Seminoles. He pitched five shutout innings in his season debut against JMU last week. He allowed four hits and issued one walk, strikingout seven batters.
What channel is FSU baseball vs. Michigan on today?
The game between FSU and Michigan will be streamed live on FloSports, and fans can watch it with a subscription.
FSU baseball vs. Michigan time today
The game between FSU and Michigan is set to start at noon ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Brant Freeman and Ty Harrington will call the game.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU baseball vs. Michigan: Live updates, scores and highlights
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
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