In this the 205th meeting between these intra-state rivals, Florida State and Florida square-off for the 104th time time in Tallahassee at Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles lead the all-time series 112-91-1, with FSU holding the advantage at home with a record of 67-35-1. Florida won the only meeting in Tallahassee a year ago defeating the Seminoles 8-3. FSU is 7-3 in the last 10 games played on its home turf. This is the third and final regular season meeting between the two teams in 2007 as the series is tied at one game a piece. Florida State defeated Florida 14-6 down in Gainesville back on February 20. The Gators evened the series with a 16-7 victory at the Baseball Grounds in Jacksonville on April 3. That game set the state of Florida attendance record as 12,280 fans were on hand that evening to watch the game. Last year, the two schools exchanged wins on the opposing team's home field with Florida State winning in Gainesville 6-4 and Florida winning in Tallahassee 8-3. Five of the last seven games in the series have been played at Alfred McKethan Stadium including the 2005 NCAA Super Regional won by the Gators, two games to none.
AGAINST THE GATORS
In game one against these intra-state rivals, Florida State pounded out 20 hits as seven Seminole batters in the starting line-up registered at least two hits or more. Freshmen Jason Stidham and D'Vontrey Richardson hit their first collegiate home run, while Tony Thomas, Jr., Jack Rye and Richardson each posted three hits in FSU's 14-6 victory in Gainesville. The win also gave head coach Mike Martin his 1,445th victory as he moved ahead of former High Point and Virginia Tech head coach Chuck Hartman for sole possession of fifth place on the NCAA all-time career wins list.
In game two, a record crowd of 12,280 fans were on hand at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville to witness a 16-7 Florida victory. The Gators ran out to an early 12-5 lead thanks to a pair of three-run home runs by Matt LaPorta and a grand slam by Austin Pride. Buster Posey connected for his first home run of the season in the top of the first and finished the game with two hits, two runs scored and two RBI's.
Of the Seminoles on the 2007 roster, Jack Rye and Tony Thomas, Jr., have seen the most playing time against Florida as the two have played in all nine games the past three seasons. Thomas has garnered a .333 (11-for-33) batting average with two home runs, two triples, 10 runs and six RBI's. This year, Thomas is hitting .500 (5-for-10) with three runs and two RBI's. Rye has hit .323 (10-for-31) in nine games against the Gators posting a pair of doubles and four RBI's. This year, Rye has collected five hits in nine at-bats, has scored three times and driven in two runs.
THE PROBABLE STARTER
Bo O'Dell will make his fifth start of the season on Wednesday evening against Florida. It will be O'Dell's second consecutive mid-week start and second start against the Gators in 2007. Last week against Jacksonville, the sophomore right hander pitched a career-high six innings allowing one run on five hits while striking out three in FSU's 7-2 victory. The win kept O'Dell unbeaten on the season at 3-0. O'Dell started the first game of the season against Florida in Gainesville and earned a no decision as he gave up four runs on four hits in lasting just 1.1 innings. O'Dell has posted victories over Jacksonville, North Florida and UNC Asheville. The Kissimmee, Fla., native has made eight appearances in 2007 posting an ERA of 3.28. He has worked 24.2 innings including three appearances where he has worked five or more innings. O'Dell has allowed nine runs on 21 hits with 23 strike outs, while issuing just six walks on the season. He has registered at least two or more strike outs in all but one outing, including a career-high four strike outs twice against UNC Asheville and North Florida. O'Dell has not given more than one walk in all eight appearances this season. He earned his first win as a Seminole working four scoreless innings in a controlled start victory against UNC Asheville. After not pitching for almost a month, O'Dell as been very effective since his return posting an ERA of 1.46. He has thrown 12.1 innings giving up two runs on seven hits. O'Dell has struck out nine and walked just two
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