The 2026 college baseball season has officially arrived, and the Florida State Seminoles wasted no time making a statement. Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Link Jarrett, FSU opened its campaign with a commanding performance against James Madison, securing a victory that showcased both the potential of their retooled roster and the high expectations that accompany the program.
The matchup marked the second consecutive year these teams have met to open the season, with Florida State maintaining a perfect 9-0 record against the Dukes historically. However, this year's squad enters with a dramatically different look, both on the field and in the facilities they call home.
A Season of Transformation
The offseason brought significant changes to Tallahassee. The Seminoles must replace the core of a team that came within one victory of reaching the College World Series last season. Key departures include the top two starting pitchers, the entire middle infield, and the starting center fielder—all of whom have moved on to professional baseball careers.
In response, Coach Jarrett and his staff assembled a roster featuring 23 newcomers, headlined by left-handed pitcher Trey Beard. Ranked among the top 10 transfers nationally by On3, Beard represents the caliber of talent FSU is bringing in to maintain its championship aspirations. The renovations extend beyond personnel, with Dick Howser Stadium itself undergoing substantial upgrades to enhance the program's infrastructure.
Despite the roster overhaul, expectations remain sky-high. Florida State enters the season ranked 16th in D1 Baseball's preseason poll and 12th in The Athletic's rankings. The ACC coaches' poll projected the Seminoles to finish third in the conference, signaling respect for a program that reloads rather than rebuilds.
James Madison, meanwhile, enters 2026 looking to improve on a challenging 2025 campaign that saw them finish 17-38. The Dukes were picked to finish 13th out of 14 teams in the Sun Belt Conference preseason poll, though they do bring recent NCAA tournament experience from their 2024 appearance.
Pitching Excellence Sets the Tone
The Seminoles sent right-hander Wes Mendes to the mound for the season opener, and the junior delivered a masterful performance. Mendes established immediate dominance, retiring the Dukes in order during the first inning on just 10 pitches. While James Madison managed to put the bat on the ball each time, nothing left the infield as Mendes set a crisp, efficient tone.
The second inning presented Mendes with his first real test. After surrendering a leadoff double, he demonstrated his composure by striking out the next two batters. A walk put additional pressure on the situation, but Mendes responded by punching out the following hitter to escape the jam unscathed. His ability to elevate his game when runners reached base proved crucial throughout his outing.
Mendes continued to cruise through the middle innings. In the fourth, James Madison again led off with a double and attempted to manufacture a run with a sacrifice bunt. The strategy moved the runner to third with one out, but Mendes slammed the door by inducing consecutive strikeouts to end the threat. He began the fifth by hitting the first batter, yet again showed resilience by retiring the next three in order.
When Mendes' day concluded after five innings, his stat line reflected excellence: seven strikeouts, just 75 pitches, and most importantly, zero runs allowed. His performance exemplified the type of efficient, dominant pitching Florida State will need from its rebuilt rotation.
Power Surge from the Heart of the Order
While Mendes kept the Dukes off the scoreboard, the Seminole offense provided just enough firepower to secure the victory. The breakthrough came in the bottom of the first inning when sophomore slugger Myles Bailey stepped to the plate with two outs. After watching the first two batters make outs, Bailey attacked the initial pitch he saw and launched it 425 feet to right-center field. The towering blast gave Florida State a 1-0 lead and immediately energized the home crowd.
The Seminoles weren't finished. In the second inning, Brody DeLamielleure led off with a solo shot of his own, depositing a pitch 392 feet into the same region of the ballpark. The back-to-back home runs accounted for all of FSU's scoring on the afternoon, but they proved sufficient against James Madison's offense.
Bailey later added a two-out single in the fifth inning, scorching a ball back up the middle. Though the rally fizzled when Cal Fisher grounded out, the performance reinforced Bailey's role as a centerpiece of the new-look lineup. His combination of power and contact ability makes him a dangerous weapon for Coach Jarrett.
Defensive Execution and Bullpen Work
Florida State's defense played error-free baseball behind Mendes, converting routine plays and providing steady support. The infield, despite featuring new faces, showed cohesion and communication that belied their limited game experience together.
In the sixth inning, John Abraham took over for Mendes and immediately encountered difficulty. A walk and a single put runners on the corners, and a wild pitch allowed James Madison to score its lone run. The sequence highlighted the challenges that can arise when transitioning to the bullpen, particularly early in the season when relievers are still finding their rhythm.
Looking Ahead
The victory provides Florida State with an encouraging start to a season filled with question marks. The Seminoles received exactly what they hoped for from Mendes: quality innings, swing-and-miss stuff, and efficient pitch counts. Bailey's offensive explosion suggests he may be ready to fill the production void left by departed stars.
For James Madison, the loss reveals the work ahead. While they managed to put runners in scoring position multiple times against a quality opponent, their inability to convert those opportunities proved costly. The Dukes showed flashes of competitiveness but lacked the finishing punch to overcome FSU's pitching.
As the series continues, Florida State will look to build on this momentum while continuing to integrate its numerous newcomers. The Seminoles' depth will be tested across the three-game set, providing valuable experience for a roster still developing chemistry. For a team with College World Series aspirations, every early-season inning matters as they forge their identity.
The road to Omaha is long, but Florida State's opening performance suggests they have the talent and coaching to make another deep postseason run. The combination of established veterans like Mendes and emerging stars like Bailey creates a balanced foundation. If the newcomers continue to acclimate quickly, the Seminoles may once again find themselves in contention for college baseball's ultimate prize.