May 22, 2012

Paul Thomas
Warchant.com Staff Writer

No. 1 Florida State wrapped up a surprising regular season over the weekend, winning two of three against North Carolina State to finish 43-12 overall and 24-6 in the ACC. The Seminoles' record earned them the top seed in this week's ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.

Their reward for being the top seed? An ACC bracket that includes games against eight-seed Georgia Tech, fifth-seeded Clemson, and four-seed Virginia.

Such is life in the ACC.

"When you look at it, (with who are) four and five, there's really not a so-called advantage," FSU coach Mike Martin said. "If you're a 2-seed, you're going to play a six and a seven for sure. And if you're a one seed you're gonna play a four and a five for sure. There ain't really no difference in one and eight, so you're going to play a very, very tough schedule. No doubt you're going to play a tough schedule."

FSU opens up tournament play on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. ET against the Yellow Jackets (32-24, 12-18 ACC). FSU swept a three-game series against Georgia Tech in Atlanta earlier this season.

GT will throw first-team All-ACC ace Buck Farmer (7-3, 3.36 ERA) on Wednesday. Farmer started the first game in Atlanta against FSU, an extra-inning 2-1 win for the Seminoles. Farmer earned a no-decision as he allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks, and struck out eight in his eight innings of work.

"The ACC, you know is one of the strongest conferences in the country," FSU second baseman Devon Travis said. "You're facing everyone's ace. That's the thing, we're going there and we're starting off with Buck Farmer, a top MLB guy. We're looking forward to it, he's real good."

"This guy (Farmer) is a stud," Martin added. "He's gonna be a high draft pick, very well (could) be a first rounder. We know that all the pitchers we face in this league are very good, and he certainly is one of those."

On the mound for FSU will be junior Scott Sitz (3-2, 3.81 ERA). After facing Georgia Tech on Wednesday, FSU will be off on Thursday before facing Clemson on Friday at 3 p.m. and Virginia on Saturday at 3 p.m.

"I'm just very pleased and excited to be entering the second season now," Martin said. "This ACC Tournament is really, really, really strong. I would pay to watch that tournament with what I know is in the field?It's setting up to be a very, very interesting tournament here."

Notable