Tar Heels and Seminoles Clash in Peak ACC Matchup
The UNC Tar Heels and Florida State Seminoles have dominated the ACC in baseball from the start of the season. Both teams had an impressive run in the 2024 postseason, fighting their way to a spot in the College World Series in Omaha. They’re back in the running for a shot at the glory that comes with going to Omaha, and they’ll close out their regular season with a series that could define who hosts a regional. Second-ranked FSU will host fourth-ranked UNC in the last series before the ACC Championships.
FSU has found its home field to be a very comfortable place, losing just five games all season in Tallahassee. The Tar Heels, however, will not make this an easy win for them. The Heels have proven to be just as comfortable in enemy territory as they are at home in the Bosh, winning 10 of their 15 road matchups so far this season. However, the Heels are also heading to Tallahassee fresh off of a loss to their in-state rival, NC State. Due to weather cancellations, the Heels have not played a game in nearly a week, which may play out to be an advantage on their end.
The Seminoles will return to their home field off a series victory against Cal. Despite suffering one loss to the unranked team on May 10th, FSU has proven to be a strong top-three team in other ways. Scoring run after run, the Seminoles took down 15th-ranked Clemson 20-9 in just eight innings on May 4th. If they can manage to outplay the Tar Heels’ offense, the series may very well be theirs. This has the potential to be their toughest matchup this season.
It seems unlikely with the talent in both of these teams that either will sweep the series. FSU has a shot at the number one spot on the line, and the Heels could sneak into the top three come Monday if they manage to win at least two of this weekend’s games. The Tar Heel pitching staff will need to be at its absolute best if it wants to beat this FSU offense. While the Heels have a strong offense this season as well, this is their first matchup against a team ranked above them on the road. An FSU victory will allow them to win the conference outright. The Tar Heels can make this anyone’s season with just two wins.
