A.D. Drew | Black College Nines Contributor
Friday, May 30, 2025 | Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium | Tallahassee, FL | 3 PM ET on ACC Network
Photo Credit: Romeo T Guzman/BCU Athletics
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Tallahassee Regional kicks off Friday with a Sunshine State showdown as the ninth-ranked national seed and host Florida State Seminoles (38–14) face SWAC Champion Bethune-Cookman (37–21) at noon. This double-elimination NCAA Regional also features #2 Northeastern and #3 Mississippi State, who meet later that evening at 7:30 p.m.
Familiar Foes
Bethune-Cookman makes its second trip to Florida’s capital city this season, and neither time have the Wildcats faced their SWAC Conference and in-state rival, Florida A&M. BCU and FSU met earlier this season on March 5, when Florida State jumped out early and held off a rally to defeat BCU 9–7. Despite the loss, the Wildcats launched three home runs and tallied 12 hits against five FSU pitchers, led by Max Williams’ five RBIs for the Seminoles.
Both squads faced several common opponents during the season:
- Jacksonville: FSU 3–0 | BCU 0–2
- North Florida: FSU 1–0 | BCU 1–1
- South Florida: FSU 2–0 | BCU 1–1
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats: Surging Into Regionals
Bethune-Cookman enters with a six-game winning streak and fresh off capturing the SWAC title, marking its first NCAA appearance since 2019. The Wildcats posted a strong .307 team batting average and swiped 128 bases during the year.
Key Hitters:
- Daniel Figueroa (.367 AVG, .465 OBP) – The SWAC Tournament MVP had a breakout postseason, batting .500 (8-for-16) with 7 RBIs, 4 runs, and 5 stolen bases in four games.
- Andrey Martinez (.354 AVG, 20 HR, 63 RBI) – Top power hitter and consistent run producer.
- Jorge Rodriguez (.357 AVG, 14 HR, .721 SLG%) – Veteran presence with high-impact swing.
Top Pitchers:
- Edwin Sanchez (8–1, 3.09 ERA, 94 K in 75.2 IP) – Ace of the staff and likely Friday starter.
- Joel Core (6–1, 4.81 ERA, 71 K in 67.1 IP) – Proven starter with swing-and-miss potential.
- Jean Carlos Zambrano (6–2, 4.25 ERA, 2 SV) – Key bullpen arm capable of closing or extending games.
BCU has averaged 7.7 runs per game over its last 10 and held opponents to a .254 average during their tournament run.
Florida State Seminoles: Talented and Tested
Florida State, the ACC’s runner-up, boasts one of the most productive lineups in the country and an imposing pitching staff that recorded 532 strikeouts and a 4.79 team ERA. FSU went 24–7 at home this season.
Key Hitters:
- Alex Lodise (.415 AVG, 17 HR, 66 RBI) – Catalyst at the top of the order and All-America candidate.
- Max Williams (.319 AVG, 17 HR, 45 RBI) – Offensive spark who homered against BCU in March.
- Myles Bailey (.317 AVG, 15 HR, 46 RBI) – Provides power and balance in the heart of the lineup.
Top Pitchers:
- Jamie Arnold (7–2, 3.04 ERA, 97 K in 71 IP) – Dominant lefty and likely starter Friday.
- Joey Volini (8–5, 3.59 ERA) – Veteran presence with ACC experience.
- John Abraham (4–0, 4.55 ERA) – Strong in late innings; could close or bridge high-leverage spots.
The Seminoles finished the season winning eight of their last ten, outscoring opponents by 42 runs during that stretch.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Florida State | Bethune-Cookman |
| Record | 38–14 | 37–21 |
| Batting Average | .314 | .307 |
| Hits | 563 (in 52 games) | 584 (in 58 games) |
| Doubles | 93 | 127 |
| Triples | 13 | 12 |
| Home Runs | 93 | 84 |
| Runs Scored | 412 | 494 |
| RBIs | 375 | 428 |
| Stolen Bases | 60-of-75 (80%) | 128-of-159 (81%) |
| Team ERA | 4.79 | 5.29 |
| Opponent AVG | .234 | .270 |
| Errors | 39 | 85 |
| Fielding % | .979 | .960 |
Per-Game Comparisons (Rounded Averages)
| Category | FSU (52 games) | BCU (58 games) |
| Runs/Game | 7.2 | 8.4 |
| Hits/Game | 10.8 | 10.1 |
| HR/Game | 1.8 | 1.4 |
| SB/Game | 1.2 | 2.2 |
| Errors/Game | 0.75 | 1.47 |
Key Takeaways
- Offense:
Florida State and Bethune-Cookman are both explosive at the plate, but FSU holds a slight edge in batting average (.314 vs. .307) and matches BCU in home runs (93 vs. 84) despite playing six fewer games. Bethune-Cookman, however, has produced more RBIs (428 vs. 375) and doubles (127 vs. 93), indicating deeper production throughout the lineup. - Speed:
BCU is more aggressive on the bases, stealing 128 bases compared to FSU’s 60. They rely heavily on pressure through speed, averaging more than two steals per game. - Pitching & Defense:
Florida State has a clear edge on the mound with a lower team ERA (4.79 vs. 5.29) and holding opponents to a significantly lower batting average (.234 vs. .270). FSU has also committed fewer errors (39) and owns a superior .979 fielding percentage, compared to Bethune-Cookman’s .960.
Summary:
Florida State Seminoles: Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Florida State faced a rigorous schedule, reflected in their 24th-ranked SOS and a strong RPI of 14. This challenging slate included numerous games against top-tier opponents, providing the Seminoles with extensive experience against high-caliber competition.
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats: As members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), the Wildcats’ schedule was less demanding, resulting in a 290th-ranked SOS and an RPI of 199. While they dominated within their conference, the lower strength of schedule indicates fewer opportunities against nationally ranked teams, potentially impacting their readiness for the heightened competition of the NCAA Tournament.
Florida State brings elite-level pitching and defense with a powerful top-to-bottom offense, while Bethune-Cookman is built around aggressive base running, clutch hitting, and postseason momentum. The Seminoles are more polished statistically, but BCU has shown it can slug with the best — and steal a game if given the chance.
What’s at Stake
The double-elimination regional will continue on Saturday, May 31, with an elimination game at 12 p.m. and a winner’s bracket game at 6 p.m. Sunday’s games also are at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. If necessary, the two regional finalists will play another game on Monday at a time to be determined. The regional champion advances to the NCAA Super Regionals, two wins away from a trip to Omaha.
Broadcast Note: The Florida State vs. Bethune-Cookman game will air live Friday at 3 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
This rematch pits a red-hot underdog against a national contender looking to defend home turf. With high-octane offenses, postseason-tested pitchers, and a rematch storyline, this regional opener promises to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the NCAA Tournament’s opening day.
In addition to writing for Black College Nines, A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. Drew is also the current media coordinator for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl. Previously Drew has served as an independent consultant in athletic communications, having worked events such as The Celebration Bowl, MEAC-SWAC Challenge, Black College World Series, SWAC Championship Game, multiple SIAC championship events, and Gulf South Conference events, in addition to regular season sports and events at every NCAA and NAIA level. Drew has also completed athletic communications consulting work for institutions on NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Drew was previously the SIAC contributor to D2Football.com.
Drew does work for the Black College Sports Network, where he has worked as a producer, director, and on-air talent. Drew has provided either play-by-play or color analysis for the Orange-Blossom Classic, the Black College World Series, the GCAC (now HBCUAC) basketball tournament, SIAC Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Volleyball Championships, and regular season games for football, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Drew regularly hosts a podcast, the BCSN SportsWrap with Bryan and A.D., most Sundays at 6PM ET on the BCSN.
Drew also coordinates pressbox operations for Minority Prospects. Drew currently is a board member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association. Drew is a member of the College Sports Communicators. In the past, Drew has served as the Director of Administration for the Black College World Series (2022) and as the Director of Athletic Communications at Thomas University.