Preview: Jacksonville Dolphins at Florida State Seminoles

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Two of the state’s hottest teams will meet Tuesday when the Jacksonville Dolphins visit the Florida State Seminoles at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a forecast temperature of 77 degrees.

Jacksonville (9-3) enters having won seven of its last nine, though it is coming off a series loss at UAB where it dropped two of three. The Dolphins’ offense has been potent, averaging over eight runs per game during that nine-game stretch.

A key catalyst has been outfielder Cade Walter. Over his last seven games, Walter is batting .375 (9-for-24) with three home runs and 11 RBIs. He drove in three runs in Sunday’s 9-3 loss at UAB.

Florida State (8-2) has won four straight, including a weekend sweep of The Citadel highlighted by strong pitching. The Seminoles allowed just three total runs in the three-game set.

The Seminoles will look to right-hander Bryson Moore on the mound. Moore is coming off a dominant performance last Tuesday, tossing six shutout innings with just one hit allowed and five strikeouts in a 2-0 win over The Citadel. In his previous start against Auburn on Feb. 21, he did not allow a hit over 4 1/3 innings but was charged with two earned runs.

This is a rematch from Feb. 17, when Florida State routed Jacksonville 13-3 at John Sessions Stadium. The Seminoles have taken 16 of the last 17 meetings between the programs.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Tuesday’s contest projects to be a tight one, with a predicted final score of Florida State 7, Jacksonville 6.

Following Tuesday’s game, Jacksonville will host UNC Wilmington for a three-game series starting Friday. Florida State will remain home to face Mercer on Wednesday before a four-game set with Northern Kentucky this weekend.