Clemson and Florida State are two names that go together a lot these days.
The Tigers and Seminoles are the ACC’s most dominant football programs with the most amount of value to a conference. That’s why they’re both suing the ACC in open court to challenge the league’s Grant-of-Rights clause.
Separate of that, Clemson and Florida State also represent the two teams atop the ACC’s baseball standings through six weeks.
The Tigers (19-2) are ranked No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, seven spots ahead of No. 12 Florida State. Coach Link Jarrett’s Seminoles have started their season a perfect 19-0 and are ranked No. 7 by Baseball America, which has the Tigers at No. 3 in its Top 25 rankings.
The start of this weekend’s series was pushed back to Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather Friday. Because of that, the two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday before Sunday’s series finale.
Florida State has three talented weekend starters in its rotation. Sophomore left-hander Jamie Arnold has been FSU’s best starter this season with a 5-0 record and a minuscule 0.33 ERA in five outings. Arnold has a 9/1 strikeout to walk ratio in 27 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 12 without allowing a walk over 5 2/3 innings in his most recent outing against Notre Dame last Saturday.
Cam Leiter, a UCF transfer, is 4-0 with a 3.37 ERA in five starts, and Sunday’s scheduled starter Conner Whitaker is 3-0 with a 3.75 mark in five starts.
Austin Gordon, Tristan Smith, and Aidan Knaak are scheduled to pitch for Clemson. Smith has been the Tigers’ ace this season through five starts with a 2-0 record and 2.55 ERA. Knaak, a freshman from Fort Myers, Fla., is 1-0 with a 3.42 ERA in four outings as the Tigers’ Sunday starter.
At the plate, Blake Wright has been on a tear for Clemson. Wright totaled seven hits in the Tigers’ two non-conference victories (vs. Winthrop and Presbyterian) earlier this week. He became the 17th player in Clemson history to record three home runs in one game in the Tigers’ victory over Presbyterian Wednesday. Wright leads the team with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs.
As a team, Clemson is averaging 8.3 runs per game while batting .297 with a .420 on-base percentage. Tigers pitching has a staff ERA of 3.81. Florida State is averaging 10.4 runs per game and hitting .356 with a staff ERA of 2.79.
Series History
Florida State leads the all time head to head series with Clemson, 83-74-1. The series dates back to 1958. Clemson took two of three in last year’s regular season series at Dick Howser Stadium.
Where to Watch/Stream/Listen
Here’s s a look at where Clemson fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series.
Dates: March 23-24
Start Times (ET):
Saturday (Game 1), 1 p.m.
Saturday (Game 2), 4:45 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m.
Where: Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Broadcast Info
TV/Live Stream: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), ESPN+
Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com