Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

From power-packed performances on the diamond to record-breaking moments on the track, Florida State is making noise across the board!

🔥 FSU Baseball clinched its opening series with a 9-2 win over James Madison, crushing four home runs in the process.
💥 FSU Softball kept rolling with a 15-5 run-rule win over Wichita State, capped off by Isa Torres’ walk-off grand slam.
📉 FSU Men’s Basketball struggled in a 72-46 loss to No. 19 Clemson, scoring a season-low in points.
🚀 FSU Track & Field made history as the women’s 4x400 relay team shattered the school & ACC record at the Jarvis Scott Invite.
⛳ FSU Women’s Golf tees off at the Moon Invitational, looking to win three straight tournaments for the first time ever.
🏈 Four-star OT Ben Mubenga set his official visit to FSU, where offensive line coach Herb Hand is leading the charge in his recruitment.

Let’s dive into all the latest from Tallahassee! ⬇️🔥

⚾ No. 9 Florida State Clinches Opening Series

Florida State (2-0) secured its first series win of 2025 with a 9-2 victory over James Madison (0-2) on Saturday at Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles’ bats exploded for four home runs, while starter Joey Volini delivered a strong outing on the mound.

🔥 Offensive Fireworks
💣 Gage Harrelson – Leadoff HR (409 ft), first as a Seminole
💣 Max Williams – 2-run HR (416 ft, 107 MPH exit velo)
💣 Drew Faurot – 2-run HR from the right side (2nd HR of the season), RBI double
💣 Alex Lodise – 2-run HR in the 6th (3rd hit of the game)

💪 Pitching Dominance
✅ Joey Volini (W, 1-0) – 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 Ks, 1 BB
✅ Maison Martinez – 1.1 IP, 2 Ks, 0 R
✅ Peyton Prescott – 2.0 IP, 3 Ks, 0 R (perfect relief)
✅ Chris Knier – Inherited bases-loaded jam, induced game-ending double play

📅 What’s Next?
🏆 Series Finale: FSU vs. James Madison
🆚 Sunday, 12:00 PM ET
🎙️ Watch: ACC Network Extra
💪 FSU Starter: Wes Mendes (Ole Miss transfer)

🔗 More on FSU’s series-clinching win here.

💥 No. 9 Florida State Explodes for 15-5 Run-Rule Win Over Wichita State

Florida State (7-1) erupted for a seven-run fifth inning and a walk-off grand slam to take down Wichita State (6-4) in six innings at the Shriners Children's Clearwater Invitational. The Seminoles have now won seven straight games and continue their offensive tear!

🔥 Offensive Explosion
💣 Isa Torres – Walk-off grand slam (3rd HR of season, doubled RBI total to 8)
💣 Michaela Edenfield – 2-run HR (3rd HR in last 3 days), RBI double
💣 Kennedy Harp – 2-run HR (4th of season, 10th extra-base hit), 18 RBIs in 8 games!
💣 Annabelle Widra – Bases-clearing triple to put FSU ahead in the 5th
✅ Jaysoni Beachum – RBI double

💪 Pitching Recap
✅ Jazzy Francik (W, 2-0) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 Ks
✅ Makenna Reid – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER
✅ Julia Apsel – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB

📅 What’s Next?
🏆 FSU vs. UCF – Clearwater Invitational Finale
🆚 Sunday, 8 PM ET
📺 Watch: ESPN

🔗 More on FSU’s dominant win here.

🏀 FSU Falls to No. 19 Clemson, 72-46, as Offensive Struggles Continue

Florida State (15-10, 6-8 ACC) suffered its worst offensive performance of the season in a 72-46 loss to No. 19 Clemson (21-5, 13-2 ACC) on Saturday afternoon. The Seminoles have now lost six straight to the Tigers, their longest losing streak in series history.

🔥 Game Recap
📉 Season-low 46 points (lowest since scoring 57 vs. Clemson earlier this season)
📉 Never led in the game, trailed by as many as 27 points
📉 Shooting Woes:
🔺 34.0% FG (18-of-53)
🔺 13.3% 3PT (2-of-15)
🔺 42.1% FT (8-of-19)

⭐ Key Performers
✅ Jamir Watkins – 14 PTS, 7 REB, only Seminole in double figures
✅ Taylor Bol Bowen – 7 REB, tied team-high
✅ FSU Team Stats – Just 5 assists, 14 turnovers

💪 Clemson's Dominance
🔹 Dillon Hunter – 17 PTS
🔹 Ian Schieffelin – 14 PTS
🔹 Chauncey Wiggins – 10 PTS
🔹 Tigers won rebounding battle 41-33 & scored 23 second-chance points

📅 What’s Next?
🏠 FSU vs. Miami (9 PM, Wednesday)
🔺 The ‘Noles won the first meeting 80-65 in Coral Gables on Jan. 8

🔗 More on FSU’s struggles vs. Clemson here.

🚀 FSU Women’s 4x400 Relay Makes History

Florida State track & field wrapped up the regular season in record-breaking fashion as the women’s 4x400-meter relay team set a new school and ACC record at the Jarvis Scott Invite in Lubbock, Texas!

🏆 New Record: 3:30.00
Takiyah Ferguson, Tyra Wilson, Alyia Green, and Kaelyaah Liburd shattered a 29-year-old program record (3:30.59, set in 1996) to claim the fastest 4x400 time in FSU and ACC history.

🔥 More Top Performances:
✅ Amare Williams – 1st place in the 200m (20.34, personal best)
✅ Men’s 4x400 Relay – 3rd place (3:07.27, 7th-fastest in FSU history)
✅ Suus Altorf – 16th in the mile (4:31.79, 3rd-fastest in FSU history)
✅ Elizabeth Barlow – 39th in the 3,000m (9:12.39, 8th-fastest in FSU history)

📅 What’s Next?
The Seminoles now shift focus to the ACC Championships in Louisville, Kentucky (March 1-3).

🔗 More on FSU’s record-setting weekend here.

⛳ No. 7 FSU Women’s Golf Aims for Historic Third-Straight Tournament Win

The seventh-ranked Florida State women’s golf team is set to tee off at the Moon Invitational in Melbourne, Fla., on Sunday, looking to achieve something never done in program history—win three consecutive tournaments!

🔥 Chasing History
After back-to-back victories at the Landfall Tradition and Collegiate Invitational in Guadalajara, the Seminoles are on the brink of a milestone achievement. While FSU has won consecutive tournaments six times in program history, no team has ever won three in a row.

🏆 Tournament Details
📍 Moon Invitational – Suntree Country Club (Classic Course)
📅 February 16-18 (18 holes per day)
⛳ 17-Team Field – Features 10 of the nation’s top 25 teams

🌟 FSU’s Star-Studded Lineup

• Lottie Woad (World No. 1) – Seven consecutive top-6 finishes, 70.21 scoring avg.

• Mirabel Ting (World No. 3) – Undefeated this season (225-0 record!) with three straight wins

• Sophia Fullbrook – 73.29 stroke avg., key in FSU’s three team titles this season

• Alexandra Gazzoli – Helped FSU to Landfall Tradition title

• Layla Pedrique – Making her FSU debut

💬 Coach Amy Bond on the Challenge:
"Winning any tournament is hard. Winning three straight is what we have our sights set on this week. This field is NCAA Championship caliber, and every team is capable of going low."

📅 FSU’s Opening Round Tee Time:
🔹 Sunday, 9:40 AM (Playing with Wake Forest & Alabama)

🚨 Will the ‘Noles make history?

🔗 More on FSU Women’s Golf’s pursuit of a three-peat here.

🔥 FSU in the Hunt for Elite OT Ben Mubenga

Buford (Ga.) offensive tackle Ben Mubenga is quickly rising as one of the top offensive line prospects in the Southeast, and Florida State is firmly in the mix for his commitment. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound standout has trimmed his recruitment down to five schools—Florida State, LSU, Arkansas, NC State, and Louisville—and has locked in his official visit to Tallahassee for June 20-22.

🏈 Mubenga’s Official Visit Schedule:
🔹 LSU – May 30 - June 1
🔹 Arkansas – June 6 - June 8
🔹 NC State – June 13 - June 15
🔹 Florida State – June 20 - June 22

🌟 FSU’s Strong Connection

Mubenga recently visited FSU for Junior Day, where he reconnected with OL coach Herb Hand, who had been recruiting him at UCF.

💬 Mubenga on Coach Hand:
"He was recruiting me when he was at UCF, and when he went to FSU, he kept recruiting me. Me and him built a great relationship."

💬 Why FSU Stands Out:
"Coach Hand just keeps it real. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He’s playing for you on and off the field. That’s what got me hooked to FSU."

🏆 Recruiting Outlook

🔺 Position: Offensive Tackle
🔺 Decision Timeline: July or August
🔺 Unofficial Visits Before OVs: NC State (March 19), Potential return visits to FSU & Arkansas

🚨 With his brother, Paul Mubenga, already playing at LSU, the Tigers are a team to watch. However, FSU’s strong relationship with Mubenga and its track record in OL development could be key factors in this battle.

🔗 More on FSU’s pursuit of Mubenga here.

And that’s a wrap!

That’s a wrap on another action-packed weekend for the Seminoles!

⚾ FSU Baseball flexed its power with four home runs to secure a series win.
💣 FSU Softball walked it off in style with a grand slam to extend its winning streak.
🏀 FSU Hoops looks to bounce back after a tough loss to No. 19 Clemson.
⛳ FSU Women’s Golf is chasing history with a potential third straight tournament victory.
🚀 FSU Track & Field shattered records heading into the ACC Championships.
🏈 FSU Football Recruiting stays hot with top OT Ben Mubenga locking in an official visit.

With so much momentum, the ‘Noles are just getting started! Stay tuned for more updates, and as always—Go ‘Noles!