FSU Stock Report (May 13, 2016)

Florida State spring sports are entering the final stretch and fans are hoping to see the Seminoles compete for more national championships. Here’s whose stock is up and whose is down around Nole Nation:

Stock Up

FSU shortstop Taylor Walls: Florida State is in a bit of a funk after dropping consecutive games to Jacksonville and Florida Gulf Coast, but that hasn’t stopped shortstop Taylor Walls from getting on a tear. In his last three games, Walls is 6-for-11 with five runs scored and four RBIs. In Wednesday’s 11-8 loss to FGCU, Walls hit a pair of home runs, including a 2-run blast with two outs in the bottom of the 9th that forced extra innings.

Facial hair: Some significant developments have come out the ACC’s spring meetings, but the most talked about aspect to this point has been the beard of Florida State head football coach Jimbo Fisher. Whether it sticks remains to be seen, but early on, it’s getting plenty of buzz.

Stock Down

FSU third baseman John Sansone: John Sansone has made a compelling argument for ACC Player of the Year most of the season, but during FSU’s mini rut, Sansone has been nowhere to be found. Over the last two games, Sansone is 0-for-8 at the plate. He also committed a critical error on Wednesday.

FSU baseball’s case for a national seed: The pair of midweek losses for Florida State could serve as a huge blow to the Seminoles’ case for earning a national seed. According to an updated field of 64 released by D1Baseball.com on Wednesday, FSU currently holds the No. 8 or final national seed. That was before the loss to FGCU.

Worth Mentioning

Florida State softball set a record with six players selected to the ACC’s first team on Thursday. That includes ACC Pitcher of the Year Jessica Burroughs and ACC Player of the Year Alex Powers. FSU head coach Lonni Alameda was named ACC Coach of the Year for a fourth straight year as well. The Seminoles also had one second team selection.
Earlier this week, FSU’s Sara Hughes and Jace Pardon were named AVCA Beach Volleyball All-Americans. Head coach Brooke Niles was named AVCA Coach of the Year.
FSU swimmer Dylan Grisell was acknowledged for his achievement in the classroom. He was named to the College Sports Information Directors of American’s All-District team.
FSU men’s and women’s track and field teams begin the ACC outdoor championships on Friday.
The ACC announced during spring meetings that it will feature a collaborative instant replay system for the 2016 football season.