Florida State Seminoles Set for ACC Tournament Rematch Against Reigning Champion Duke Blue Devils This Friday

The road to an ACC baseball championship is never easy, and for the Florida State Seminoles, that journey begins this Friday with a familiar foe: the Duke Blue Devils. In a twist of fate that feels almost scripted, the Seminoles will open their ACC Tournament campaign against the very team that denied them the conference title in last year’s championship game. Scheduled for a 3:00 PM EST first pitch, this highly anticipated rematch promises to set the tone for the remainder of the tournament and will be broadcast live on the ACC Network.

For Florida State, this opening game carries more than just the weight of a tournament opener; it’s a chance for redemption. Last season’s ACC Championship Game saw Duke emerge victorious, a bitter pill for a Seminoles program accustomed to deep tournament runs and, often, hardware. The sting of that defeat undoubtedly lingers, providing ample motivation as they step onto the field. Head coach Link Jarrett, now in his second season at the helm, will be looking for his team to channel that competitive fire into a strong performance from the first pitch. FSU has a rich history in the ACC Tournament, boasting eight titles, the second-most in conference history, and a strong all-time winning percentage in the tournament. This storied program has made 31 appearances, a testament to its consistent competitiveness. After securing the No. 2 seed this year, earning a crucial double-bye into the quarterfinals, the Seminoles have positioned themselves well for a deep run. Their regular season performance, finishing 17-10 in conference play and with a strong overall record of 37-13, speaks volumes about their talent and depth. The bye allows their pitching staff to be rested and ready, a significant advantage in the grind of tournament play.

Duke, meanwhile, enters this tournament as the reigning champions, a title they earned by defeating Florida State just last year. Their victory in 2024 marked their second ACC Tournament championship in four years, a remarkable achievement that has solidified their position as a formidable force in the conference. The Blue Devils have historically been a solid, though not dominant, program in the ACC, with a .344 winning percentage in the tournament over 40 appearances. However, their recent success under coach Chris Pollard has elevated them considerably. They are a team that knows how to win in the postseason, and their confidence will be high after a successful regular season that saw them finish with a 17-13 conference record and a 36-18 overall mark, good for the No. 7 seed. Duke had to navigate through the earlier rounds of the tournament, winning their second-round game against No. 15 Pitt to earn this quarterfinal matchup against FSU. This earlier game experience could prove beneficial, as they’ve already acclimated to the tournament atmosphere and the intensity of win-or-go-home scenarios.

The historical head-to-head between these two programs has been quite competitive, especially in recent years. While Florida State generally holds the historical edge in overall program success, the recent encounters, particularly in tournament play, have been tightly contested. The last ten matchups, dating back to March 2020, show an even split of 5-5, indicating the increasing parity and rivalry between these two clubs. The 2024 ACC Championship game, a 16-4 Duke victory, was an anomaly in terms of scoreline in what is usually a much closer affair. Prior to that, in the 2024 regular season series, Duke took two out of three games from FSU. This suggests that while FSU might be the higher seed, Duke has proven they can beat the Seminoles.

The ACC Tournament itself operates under a modified single-elimination format, with all 16 teams competing. The top four seeds, including Florida State, receive a double-bye directly into the quarterfinal round, providing a distinct advantage in terms of rest and pitching management. Seeds five through eight receive a single bye, while the remaining teams play in the first round. This new format for 2025 emphasizes regular-season performance and rewards the top teams, which bodes well for FSU. The winner of this Friday’s clash between Florida State and Duke will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between No. 3 North Carolina and the winner of Game 8, which saw No. 14 Boston College upset No. 6 Virginia. The stakes are incredibly high, as only two teams will reach Sunday’s championship game, which will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

Fans looking to catch the action can tune in to the ACC Network at 3:00 PM EST. The ACC Network is widely available through various cable, satellite, and streaming providers, including FuboTV. For those without traditional cable, many streaming services offer access to the ACC Network, either as part of their base package or as an add-on. Additionally, the ESPN App provides streaming access for subscribers who have the ACC Network through their TV provider.

As Friday approaches, all eyes will be on Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the site of this year’s ACC Tournament. The narrative of redemption for Florida State and the pursuit of continued dominance for Duke creates a compelling storyline. Both teams are well-coached and feature talented rosters capable of making deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, regardless of the outcome of this ACC battle. However, for 3:00 PM EST on Friday, May 23rd, the focus will be solely on this pivotal quarterfinal matchup. The winner will gain significant momentum and confidence, while the loser will see their ACC championship dreams dashed. Expect a hard-fought contest between two of the conference’s premier baseball programs, with every pitch carrying immense weight.