2017 Tallahassee Regional: A Look at the Four Teams

Florida State was among the most unlikely of NCAA Tournament hosts a couple weeks ago, but after sweeping Louisville to end the regular season and breezing through the ACC Tournament, the road to the Super Regionals goes through Dick Howser Stadium — at least for four teams.

FSU is the top seed in the double-elimination Tallahassee Regional after winning six straight and 12 of 14 coming in. Joining the Seminoles at the friendly confines of Howser will be second-seeded UCF, No. 3 seed Auburn and fourth-seeded Tennessee Tech. As the regional gets underway on Friday, here is a look at each of the teams:

1. Florida State Seminoles (39-20), ACC Champions

As mentioned, Florida State comes into the NCAA Tournament red hot and will host a regional for a seventh straight year. The Seminoles went a perfect 3-0 in each of the last two seasons on their way to the Super Regionals. FSU was 23-12 at home this season.

Strengths: Though it was inconsistent for much of the season, Florida State has really become a solid offensive club. FSU ranks in the top 50 nationally in runs, home runs and on-base percentage. The Seminoles have scored at least five runs in 14 of their last 16 games.

Weaknesses: Consistency on the mound has been an issue all season long. FSU starters and relievers both pitched well at the ACC Tournament, but to make a deep run, that must continue. Tyler Holton has been the one constant for the FSU rotation, but the other three pitchers — Andrew Karp, Cole Sands and Drew Parrish — to make at least 10 starts all have ERAs over five.

Key Players:
Dylan Busby, (Jr.-3B) — .317 average, 13 HRs, 55 RBIs
Jackson Lueck, (So.-OF) — .312 average, 8 HRs, 45 RBIs
Tyler Holton, (So.-P/OF) — 9-2 record, 2.43 ERA, 119 strikeouts

2. UCF Knights (40-20), AAC At-Large

UCF looked like a potential regional host for a while until falling to East Carolina in the American Athletic Conference semifinals. The Knights flexed their muscles throughout the regular season, winning 40 games and beating the likes of Houston, Miami and Florida. UCF was 0-2 against FSU this season.

Strengths: UCF was a good offensive team this season, posting a .282 team batting average, but the Knights’ obvious strength is pitching. The Knights led the AAC in ERA this year and had two different pitchers win 10 games. At the back end of the bullpen, Bryce Tucker posted a 1.75 ERA to go with nine saves.

Weaknesses: While UCF was 29-10 in Orlando this season, the Knights were just 11-10 away from home. To advance to the Super Regional round, UCF will have to win at least three games in Tallahassee.

Key Players:
Robby Howell, (Sr.-P) — 10-0 record, 3.28 ERA, 90 strikeouts
Rylan Thomas, (Fr.-IF) — .305 average, 13 HRs, 52 RBIs
Bryce Tucker, (So.-P) — 1.75 ERA, 9 saves, 36 innings pitched, 53 strikeouts

3. Auburn Tigers (35-24), SEC At-Large

After a 1-2 showing at the SEC Tournament, Auburn limps into the NCAA Tournament. Unlike FSU, who seems to be peaking at the right time, the Tigers have lost 10 of their last 13 games.

Strengths: For Auburn to be successful, it must get great efforts from its starting pitching. For the 2017 season, Casey Mize and Keegan Thompson have been one of the best 1-2 punches in the SEC. The Tigers are also a good defensive team with a .975 fielding percentage. Among SEC teams, only Florida turned more double plays.

Weaknesses: Outside of the two aforementioned starters and Cole Lipscomb, the Tigers don’t have a lot of reliable arms. The Tigers rank just 11th in the SEC in ERA and 13th in opposing batting average. While Auburn is a decent offensive team, it ranks dead last in the SEC in home runs with 28. It however, was second in doubles.

Key Players:
Jonah Todd, (Jr.-OF) — .385 average, 52 runs, 9 stolen bases
Casey Mize (So.-P) — 7-2 record, 1.93 ERA, 97 strikeouts
Keegan Thompson (Jr.-P) — 6-4 record, 2.43 ERA, .205 average against

4. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (40-19), Ohio Valley Champions

Much like Florida State in the ACC, Tennessee Tech swept through the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, topping Belmont for the title, 16-4. While the Golden Eagles won 40 games, only one of those wins came over a Power 5 team and that was a 5-2 victory over Vanderbilt on April 11.

Strengths: Throughout the season, Tennessee Tech was an offensive juggernaut. The Golden Eagles led the OVC is multiple statistical offensive categories, including slugging percentage, doubles and home runs. Tennessee Tech also ranked second in the conference in batting average, runs scored and hits. It scored at least 10 runs on 19 occasions this year.

Weaknesses: Tennessee Tech may have led the Ohio Valley in ERA, but at a clip of 5.11 as a team. That would rank 12th in the ACC. It is worth noting that the Golden Eagles’ sub-par pitching came against a schedule that featured only one Power 5 opponent.

Key Players:
Trevor Putzig, (Jr.-IF) — .395 average, 55 runs, 51 RBIs
Ryan Flick, (Jr.-1B) — .384 average, 18 home runs, 70 RBIs
Ethan Roberts, (So.-P) — 3.65 ERA, 13 saves, 44.1 IP, 73 strikeouts

Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Friday, June 2
Game 1: (3) Auburn vs. (2) UCF, noon
Game 2: (4) Tennessee Tech vs. (1) Florida State, 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 3
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, noon
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

Sunday, June 4
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, noon
Game 6: Game 5 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7 p.m.

Monday, June 5
Game 7: Game 6 rematch (if necessary), 7 p.m.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson