Welcome to The Chief Brief!

Here’s the highlights of today’s edition after another great weekend:

🧹 Seminoles Sweep Tar Heels in Close Contest 🧹
FSU Softball clinched a narrow 2-1 victory over North Carolina, marking their 14th consecutive win on Senior Day.

⚾ Noles Overwhelmed by Duke in Series Finale ⚾
FSU Baseball faced a tough 16-4 run-rule defeat against Duke, despite securing the first two games of the series.

🛬 Jordan Travis' Journey to the Jets 🛬
Jordan Travis was drafted by the New York Jets after overcoming a major leg injury and impressing with his resilience and skill during the pre-draft process.

🌟 Undrafted Seminoles' Next Steps to the NFL 🌟
Several FSU talents, including Fabien Lovett and Kalen DeLoach, are making their NFL dreams come true as undrafted free agents with teams like the Chiefs and Buccaneers.

🧹 Seminoles Sweep Tar Heels in Close Contest 🧹 

The Florida State Seminoles softball team capped off their series against North Carolina with a tight 2-1 victory, marking their fourteenth consecutive win. This latest triumph on Senior Day at JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex in Tallahassee extends FSU's record to 40-10, including an impressive 18-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

🌟 Opportunistic Plays Lead to Victory

FSU's winning runs both capitalized on errors by the Tar Heels. The first run saw Amaya Ross scoring on an errant throw following Kaley Mudge's flyout in the third inning. The second run came in the fourth inning when Kalei Harding took advantage of a throwing mistake by the UNC catcher, ruled as obstruction after a review. Despite UNC's late rally with a run in the seventh inning, FSU held on, with Emma Wilson securing the final out for her first save of the season.

⚾ Pitching Highlights

Allison Royalty started the game, pitching three innings and allowing five hits. Ashtyn Danley took over, pitching 3.2 innings with three hits and securing her 15th win. Emma Wilson closed the game, facing three batters and securing the win.

🔥 Limited Hits, Maximum Impact

Despite managing only four hits, with Michaela Edenfield recording the only extra-base hit, a double, FSU’s playmaking and strong defense were enough to secure the win. The team showed resilience and poise, maintaining their strong performance throughout April, with a 133-35 scoring advantage.

🔜 Looking Ahead

FSU is set to host the 12th-ranked Florida Gators on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network, followed by a weekend series at Syracuse to conclude their ACC and regular season schedule.

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Noles Overwhelmed by Duke in Series Finale

In a challenging Sunday showdown at Jack Coombs Field, the No. 10 Florida State baseball team (34-9, 13-8 ACC) was bludgeoned, losing 16-4 to No. 6 Duke (30-14, 14-10 ACC). After taking the first two games of the series, the Seminoles couldn't fend off Duke's powerful offense, which produced three home runs and a barrage of hits leading to a run rule victory.

🌟 Duke’s Explosive Second Inning

Duke’s lineup erupted in the second inning, putting up 10 runs to break the game wide open. The inning featured back-to-back RBI singles and a sequence of three consecutive home runs from Kyle Johnson, Chase Krewson, and Zak Morris, propelling Duke to a commanding 12-2 lead.

⚾ Struggles on the Mound

FSU’s pitchers struggled throughout the game, cycling through eight pitchers in just six innings. Brady Louck, in his third start, was tagged with five earned runs, while Noah Short gave up three homers in a challenging outing. Ryan Denison and others also had difficulties containing Duke's hitters.

🔥 Tejeda Jr. Shines Amidst the Struggle

Despite the tough day for FSU’s pitching staff, Yoel Tejeda Jr. provided a silver lining by striking out a career-high five batters in 2.2 innings of work, allowing just one run and showcasing his potential against a tough lineup.

📊 Key Player Performances

James Tibbs led FSU at the plate, going 2-3 with a 437-foot two-run homer, his 18th of the season. Cam Smith continued his impressive on-base streak to 53 games, contributing with a single and scoring twice. Jaime Ferrer also added a double and a walk in the effort.

🔜 Looking Ahead

With no midweek game due to finals, FSU will next host No. 21 NC State at Dick Howser Stadium over the weekend, looking to bounce back in this three-game series.

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🛬 Jordan Travis' Journey to the Jets 🛬 

In the lead-up to the NFL Draft, Florida State's quarterback Jordan Travis overcame significant challenges, culminating in his selection by the New York Jets. His recovery from a serious leg injury and the Jets' confidence in his potential marked a pivotal chapter in his career.

🏥 Meticulous Rehabilitation and Draft Preparation

Travis' diligent rehabilitation efforts paid off as he prepared for the draft, demonstrating his progress by actively throwing footballs just weeks before the event. The New York Jets, showing particular interest, hosted Travis for one of their valuable "30 visits," highlighting their investment in understanding his capabilities and character.

🌆 A New Beginning in New York

Selected by the Jets in the fifth round, Travis described the moment as a dream come true, filled with emotional and joyous celebrations with his family. His resilience and optimistic outlook throughout his recovery were noted by Jets' GM Joe Douglas, who praised Travis for his dynamic play and the respect he commands from teammates.

📈 Learning from the Best

Looking ahead, Travis finds himself in a great position to learn from some of the NFL’s finest, including two-time Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers and seasoned quarterback Tyrod Taylor. His new coach, Robert Saleh, referred to him as a "ball of clay," ready to be molded into a formidable NFL quarterback, leveraging his natural athleticism and competitive spirit.

🔜 Future Prospects

With a supportive environment and access to veteran wisdom, Travis is poised to develop his skills further in the NFL. His journey reflects not only his personal resilience but also the potential for significant growth in his professional career.

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🌟 Undrafted Seminoles' Next Steps to the NFL 🌟

Following the 2024 NFL Draft, several standout Florida State players have begun their professional journeys as undrafted free agents, showcasing the depth of talent that extends beyond those selected in the draft.

🏈 Fabien Lovett Joins the Chiefs

Defensive tackle Fabien Lovett is set to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. A reliable force on the defensive line, Lovett, who started for four years, notched 22 tackles in his final season at FSU. His experience and consistent performance caught the eye of the Chiefs, according to his agency.

🔥 Kalen DeLoach's Move to the Buccaneers

Linebacker Kalen DeLoach is expected to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers according the multiple sources. Despite his size (5-11, 210), DeLoach's impressive stats, including 68 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks in 2023, earned him First-Team All-ACC and Second-Team All-American honors. His ability on special teams may also be a key factor in securing a spot with the Bucs.

🛡️ Akeem Dent's Signing with the Chargers

Safety Akeem Dent is headed to the Los Angeles Chargers. As a former high-profile recruit and a three-year starter, Dent contributed 42 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass defended last season. Like DeLoach, Dent’s special teams skills enhance his appeal to NFL teams.

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And that’s a wrap!

As another exhilarating week rolls out, keep cheering loud and proud.

Stay tuned for more updates and go Seminoles!