Let's all take a deep breath. Maybe take a walk around the park and smell the roses.
Does it feel better? No?
How about the fact that Florida State baseball (47-16) is still alive in the 2024 College World Series?
FSU had 24 hours to recover and recuperate after a disaster defeat against No. 1 Tennessee on Friday night.
As FSU stares at the prospect of elimination, it must take care of business against No. 12 Virginia (46-16) in the elimination bracket on Sunday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.
Both ACC teams suffered losses in walk-off defeats Friday.
However, FSU's loss was controversial due to an appeal-checked swing call by the umpire.
FSU was only one strike away. The Seminoles allowed four runs on five hits in the ninth inning with two outs. Back-to-back singles clinched the win for the Volunteers and will play North Carolina on Sunday at 7 p.m.
The Cavaliers were in a similar situation. With the game even at two in the bottom ninth and two outs, UNC's Vance Honeycutt's line-drive single led to a 3-2 victory over the Cavaliers.
This conference matchup will be the second postseason meeting between FSU and UVA. Last time, the Seminoles defeated the Cavaliers 12-7 during the pool play of the ACC Tournament on May 24.
Virginia is in the top 10 in almost every offensive category.
UVA entered the CWS ranked No. 1 in total hits and second with a .336 batting average, seven spots ahead of FSU (.316).
The Cavaliers are also No. 6 with a .428 on-base percentage and fourth with 576 runs in 61 games and scoring.
Harrison Didawick leads FSU with 23 home runs, 68 RBI, and a .644 slugging percentage. Jacob Ference and Henry Ford tied with 17 homers. Casey Sauke has 14 on the year.
Carson Dorsey (7-4) will start on the Seminoles' mound. FSU coach Link Jarrett hopes that his pitching staff will play a part in taking down UVA.
"We have options," Jarrett said after the Tennessee loss. "Clearly, it makes things easier and diminishes the workload if Dorsey can get us into this.
"And Virginia is tough. I know we had a good day but they're tricky. They're tough offensively."
Here is our prediction.
FSU baseball vs.Virginia prediction in NCAA College World Series bracket
FSU 9 UVA 8: It's never easy to beat the same team more than once. The Seminoles must do so on Sunday against Virginia.
The Seminoles cannot afford any mental error in the game. Earlier in the Tennessee game, the Seminoles allowed two errors that resulted in two unearned runs.
Fortunately, FSU's defense plays better when Dorsey is starting.
Throughout the baseball postseason, Dorsey has been efficient on the hill. In the regional, he nearly pitched a complete game against Stetson. Against UConn, the left-handed pitcher recorded six strikeouts and one run allowed in super regional.
As far as offense goes, the Seminoles can continue to gather hits and get on base, but they cannot let it go to waste. There were times when the runners were in scoring position but couldn't execute enough runs.
FSU had 18 hits and 11 runs in a losing effort against Tennessee. However, their top hitter, James Tibbs III didn't have a great night as he was 1 of 6 at-bat.
The last time FSU played UVA, Tibbs had 5 RBI on two hits. In the middle of his tournament slump, Tibbs had a historic game with three home runs, five hits and 6 RBI to win super regional.
A big game by Tibbs can give the team a better chance of beating Virginia and remaining in CWS contention.
Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor will start Jay Woolfork on the mound. Woolfork is a right-hand pitcher who allowed five runs in 14.1 innings throughout the baseball tournament. He also has an 5.95 ERA.
FSU baseball vs. Virginia odds in 2024 College World Series
FSU +125
UVA -165
FSU baseball odds to win 2024 College World Series
According to BetMGM. FSU is a +2500 favorite to win the College World Series.
How can I watch FSU baseball vs. Virginia Sunday?
- TV:ESPN (Channel 206 on DirecTV, Channel 140 on Dish)
- Streaming:ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)
How can I listen to FSU baseball on the radio?
- Radio:WFLAFM 100.7
- Streaming:Seminole Sports Network
FSU baseball ticketsfor NCAA College World Series
Tickets for the College World Series can be purchased on theCWSOmaha.com
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol
