As Florida State looks to the take the second game against NC State and the final series of the season at Dick Howser Stadium on Friday, the program will also be celebrating Senior Day.
There is a good chance that FSU will be hosting a regional for the seventh straight season, so this weekend’s series may not be the final moment for seniors at Dick Howser Stadium. Still, their careers are worth remembering.
Here’s a look back at each of the careers of each of the Seminole seniors and their top moments:
Rhett Aplin, OF/1B
A junior college transfer, Rhett Aplin has been a hitting machine in the middle of the Florida State order. Although the latter part of his junior season was cut short by injury in 2017, Aplin finished his first season in Tallahassee hitting a team-best .322 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. As a senior, Aplin has made the transition to first base and started 52 of 54 games for the Seminoles. Aplin is hitting .302 this season with a team-high 18 doubles.
Rafael Bournigal, IF
A transfer from Belmont, Rafael Bournigal will spend just one season at Florida State. Bournigal has made 30 starts for FSU this season and moves up and down the order. Bournigal is hitting .198 this season.
Kyle Cavanaugh, 1B
Another junior college transfer, Kyle Cavanaugh hasn’t seen a lot of time in the field during his tenure at Florida State. His most memorable moment however, may have been a 5-hit game last week against Mount St. Mary’s. Cavanaugh has two career home runs, including a mammoth shot in last season’s 19-0 Super Regional victory over Sam Houston State to clinch a spot in Omaha.
Ed Voyles, P
A 6-foot-7 redshirt senior, Ed Voyles wasn’t listed on the baseball graphic, but remains on the roster. Injuries have kept Voyles from appearing in a game this season for the Seminoles, but during his time in Tallahassee, Voyles has two career wins and two career saves. The twin brother of former reliever Jim Voyles, Ed Voyles’ best season came as a redshirt sophomore in 2016 when he posted a 2.66 ERA in 47 1/3 innings.
Steven Wells, OF
After platooning in the outfielder over the last couple seasons, Wells has become a mainstay in the lineup as a senior. With a cannon for an arm, Wells has long been outstanding in the field, but has become a force with the bat as well. Wells has two game-winning home runs in extra innings this month alone and is among the ACC leaders in on-base percentage. During an ungodly stretch last month, Wells raised his batting average by 100 points while earning ACC Player of the Week honors. Extra innings seems to bring out the best in Wells offensively and defensively. In the ACC Tournament opener against Notre Dame last season, Wells kept the Fighting Irish from taking the lead by gunning down a runner at the plate in a 3-3 game in the 11th inning. FSU would go on to win the game and the conference title.
Will Zirzow, P
Like others on the list, injuries have halted Will Zirzow a bit and especially this season. Zirzow didn’t make his 2018 debut until last week against Mount St. Mary’s. Zirzow being healthy should provide a huge boost for FSU moving forward, but his career will likely always be defined by one of the greatest outings in school-history given the circumstances. In the decisive game of last year’s Tallahassee Regional, Zirzow faced one over the minimum in a complete game 2-hit shutout as the Seminoles topped Auburn, 6-0, to advance to the NCAA Super Regional.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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