Florida State's series-opener against Maryland Saturday will have a slightly different feel for freshman pitcher Brandon Leibrandt.
Leibrandt will treat Saturday's series opener just like any other.
Leibrandt, who has been steady as FSU's Friday-night starter this season, will be called upon to eschew stadium lights for sunlight, and to adjust his rhythm to starting Saturday at 1 p.m.
“You try not to make too much of it. It's just another game,” said Leibrandt, who owns a 5-1 record and a 3.00 earned runs average. “It's baseball. At the point you start making more out of it, that's when you get in trouble.”
Junior second baseman Devon Travis said that the adjusted schedule – FSU will play Saturday at 1 p.m., Sunday at 2 and Monday at 7 – is a little bit strange.
“It's definitely weird. Ever since I got here, you get in a little rhythm,” he said. “Not playing today is really weird. I woke up [Friday] and was like 'We have practice today?'”
Weaver entering the weekend rotation
by Corey Dowlar, Noles247
Luke Weaver isn't going to be pitching this Sunday against Maryland, but he is taking over the third-starter's role when he takes the ball on Monday night thanks to the scheduling of a Saturday-Sunday-Monday series.
The true freshman was announced to have moved into the weekend rotation by head coach Mike Martin on Tuesday. It isn't the first time he will start on the hill for the Seminoles this season, but it is the first occurrence since his seven-inning effort against Stetson back on March 21.
Luke Weaver enters the weekend rotation.
Having been impressive in relief outings since, Weaver is excited to try his hand again, but this time in a conference-series setting.
"I am ecstatic," he said. "I am glad to be in there. It doesn't really change anything. I am going to keep going out there and doing my best. Now just getting back into the starting stuff - command early and try to get us back in the dugout as quick as possible so we can get runs and stay out there as long as I can."
Florida State has previously had sophomore Peter Miller and junior Scott Sitz in the Sunday role this year. Both have had their ups and downs, and now with Miller's arm shut down do to shoulder soreness and Sitz pitching against Stetson on Tuesday, it seems like an opportunity for Weaver to make a statement against the Terrapins.
"It is definitely an opportunity," he said. "I am not going going to take it for granted and do my best, like I said, and hopefully come out with a good outing, and if I don't, I will be glad to be used however they want."
Pitching at night against a good opponent doesn't bother Weaver. He's already done that against Jacksonville, UCF, Florida and Stetson.
If anything, he says it helps.
"I love all the spotlight," said Weaver. "It is a great opportunity. Being on TV and people being able to watch. It is more fun and more pressure, but it turns into adrenaline and kind of keeps you going. It's in my favor and it is going to help me out."
Weaver is 1-0 on the season with a 5.47 ERA.
Pitching probables
Saturday - 1 p.m
FSU: LHP Brandon Leibrandt (5-1, 3.00 ERA)
UMD: LHP Jimmy Reed (1-2, 1.81 ERA)
Sunday - 2 p.m.
FSU: RHP Mike Compton (8-0, 2.65 ERA)
UMD: RHP Brett Harman (6-3, 2.79 ERA)
Monday - 7 p.m.
FSU: RHP Luke Weaver (1-0, 5.47 ERA)
UMD: RHP David Carroll (3-3, 3.79 ERA)
- Tim Linafelt
- GM & Editor - Noles247