The road to the Super Regional
The Florida State baseball squad stands on the brink of a third straight NCAA Super Regional, but it must first navigate a decisive two‑game series against St. John's. A victory in both contests will lift the team out of the loser's bracket and cement its place in the next round of the tournament.
The action is scheduled for a noon ET start, followed by a 4 p.m. ET game later the same day. Both contests will be streamed live on ESPN+, giving fans nationwide a chance to follow the high‑stakes matchup.
At the center of the pitching duel will be Florida State's Peyton Manca facing off against St. John's Evan Hoeckele. Manca, who has been a workhorse for the Seminoles, is expected to anchor the rotation, while Hoeckele brings a similarly aggressive approach for the Red Storm.
Florida State's lineup features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. Key contributors include John Stuetzer, Brayden Dowd, and Brody DeLamielleure, each of whom has posted strong offensive numbers throughout the season.
St. John's counters with its own set of standouts, notably Jon LeGrande, Jayder Raifstanger, and Shaun McMillan. The trio has been instrumental in the Red Storm's recent surge, and their performances will be closely watched as the series unfolds.
Beyond the headline names, depth players such as Hunter Carns, Nathan Cmeyla, Ben Barrett, Gabe Fraser, Carter McCulley, Cal Fisher, Adam Agresti, Will Cowan, Ayden Frey, Cristian Bernardini, Rob Mansour, and Dylan Fitzsimmons add further richness to the rosters, ensuring that both teams have the flexibility to adjust strategies on the fly.
The stakes extend beyond mere rankings; a successful run would not only reinforce Florida State's status as a collegiate baseball powerhouse but also highlight the program's resilience after navigating a challenging bracket. Meanwhile, St. John's aims to prove that its recent form is more than a fleeting moment.