The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are traveling to Tallahassee this weekend to challenge the Seminoles of Florida State. They are coming off one of the worst weekends they have had in a long time, getting swept at home by unranked ACC foe Virginia Tech. The Deacs are looking to get back on track with a series win and boost their ranking in the top 25 poll and the ACC.
The Demon Deacons are currently sitting at a 21-9 record with a 7-5 conference record with conference wins over Notre Dame and Miami, and conference losses to Clemson and Virginia Tech. They are led by star pitcher Logan Lunceford, and big name hitters such as Marek Houston, Kade Lewis, and standout freshman Dalton Wentz.
The Seminoles of Florida State are settled in with a 24-4 record and a 7-2 conference record with conference wins over Boston College, Miami, and Notre Dame. The Seminoles have no ACC series losses. They are led by one of the nations best pitchers in Jamie Arnold. Florida State is propelled offensively by Alex Lodise and Gage Harrelson.
On Friday, we have a big pitching matchup amidst us with top ACC pitchers, Wake Forest's Logan Lunceford and Florida State's Jamie Arnold facing off in the series opener. Lunceford is coming off two shaky starts and hoping to get back on track. He has a 4.36 ERA paired with 58 strikeouts in 33 innings. Lunceford has given up 18 hits and walked 16. Arnold is sitting at a 3.07 ERA coupled with 38 strikeouts from the left side. He has given up 19 hits and 11 walks in 29.1 innings of work.
On Saturday, another big pitching matchup will take place with two southpaws dueling, Matthew Dallas from the Forest and Joey Volini from Florida State. Dallas has a wildly high 6.23 ERA after a horrendous start last week. He also has struck out 26, allowed 29 hits, and walked 16 in 26 innings of work. Volini is rolling with a tremendous ERA of just 1.25 in 43.1 innings pitched. Volini also has struck out 63, only walked nine, and has given up 26 hits.
On Sunday, we have yet another excellent pitching matchup with PA’s own Blake Morningstar getting the start for Wake, and Wes Mendes taking the hill for the Seminoles. Morningstar is sitting comfortably with a 2.29 ERA accompanied with 44 strikeouts. He has also walked 11 and allowed 25 hits in 35.1 innings of work. Mendes is settled in with a 2.83 ERA coupled with 52 strikeouts in his seven appearances. Mendes has also walked 13 and given up 26 hits in his 35 innings of work.
These fantastic games are available on the ACC Network on Friday, and the ACC Network Extra for the Saturday and Sunday contests.
*All of Florida State's starting pitchers went to Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida.