Yesterday’s Poll Results

Today’s Poll

🏹 Welcome to The Chief Brief! 🏹

Happy Thursday, Seminole!

Florida State is firing on all cylinders as the spring sports season heats up! FSU Baseball remains unbeaten, Softball keeps rolling with a seven-game win streak, and football’s winter workouts are wrapping up as spring practice looms.

🔥 Inside today’s edition:
⚾ FSU Baseball stays perfect (13-0) with back-to-back midweek wins.
🥎 FSU Softball sweeps Jacksonville & UNF, heads west for a tough road trip.
🏈 Winter workout standouts: Who’s turning heads ahead of spring practice?
🏊‍♀️ FSU earns six NCAA qualifiers in women’s swimming & diving.
🎾 Men’s tennis hits the road for big-time ACC matchups.
🏈 4⭐ LB Duyon Forkpa Jr. locks in an official visit with the ‘Noles.

Buckle up, because March is going to be a wild ride for the Seminoles! Let’s dive in. ⬇️

⚾ No. 6 FSU Baseball Holds Off Bethune-Cookman, Stays Unbeaten at 13-0

Florida State continued its red-hot start to the season, fending off Bethune-Cookman 9-7 on Wednesday night at Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles are now 13-0, one of just five unbeaten teams in the nation. This marks the first time in program history that FSU has started back-to-back seasons at 13-0 or better.

🔥 Key Performers:

• 💥 Max Williams (4 H, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R) – Delivered a career-best five RBI, including a three-run blast.

• 🎯 Gage Harrelson (1 H, 1 R) – Extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

• 🔥 Alex Lodise (3 H, 1 RBI, 2 R) – Pushed his hit streak to 12 games with a multi-hit performance.

• ⚡ Payton Manca (W, 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 3 K, 1 BB) – Picked up his first career win in his first collegiate start.

• 💪 Maison Martinez (3.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 5 K, 0 BB) – Shut down BC with a dominant relief outing.

• 🔒 Chris Knier (S, 1.0 IP, 2 K) – Locked down his second save of the season.

FSU wasted no time, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by Williams’ two-run double. The Wildcats battled back, closing the gap to 4-3 in the third, but the ‘Noles responded with a four-run fourth inning capped off by a towering three-run homer from Williams.

Bethune-Cookman made things interesting with a three-run shot in the ninth, cutting the lead to 9-7, but Knier shut the door with a clutch strikeout to seal the win.

📅 What’s Next?
FSU wraps up non-conference play with a three-game home series against Lipscomb (March 7-9).

🔗 More on FSU Baseball’s latest win here.

🥎 No. 9 FSU Softball Sweeps Jacksonville & UNF, Extends Win Streak to Seven

Florida State kicked off its eight-game road trip in dominant fashion, picking up wins over Jacksonville (9-1) and North Florida (5-3) on Wednesday night at the UNF Softball Complex. The Seminoles (18-3) have now won seven straight games as they prepare for a tough test out west.

🔥 Game 1: FSU 9, Jacksonville 1 (7 Inn.)

• 💥 Katie Dack (1-for-3, HR, RBI) – Crushed her fifth homer of the season in the third inning.

• 🔥 Annabelle Widra (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 3B) – Drove in two runs, including her fourth triple of the year.

• ⚡ Isa Torres (2-for-5, RBI) – Added a late RBI single to cap the scoring.

• 🎯 Julia Apsel (W, 4.0 IP, 2 H, 5 K) – Shut down Jacksonville in a dominant start.

• 🔒 Jazzy Francik (3.0 IP, 3 K) – Tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

FSU capitalized on defensive miscues early, building a commanding lead before Dack’s solo blast extended it to 5-0. Widra’s triple in the fifth and a late RBI double from Angelee Bueno sealed the run-rule win.

🔥 Game 2: FSU 5, UNF 3

• 💣 Annabelle Widra (HR, 2 RBI, W, 4.0 IP, 0 ER) – Blasted a two-run homer and closed the game in the circle.

• 🚀 Katie Dack (HR, 2B, 2 RBI) – Homered for the second straight game and drove in two.

• ⚡ Kennedy Harp (HR, RBI) – Launched her sixth homer of the season.

• 🛑 Hallie Wacaser – Gunned down a runner at home plate from left field to prevent a key UNF run.

The Seminoles powered up with three home runs, but it was Wacaser’s clutch throw and Widra’s shutdown pitching in the final two innings that sealed the win over UNF.

📅 What’s Next?
FSU heads to Oregon for the Jane Sanders Classic, facing Oregon State and No. 14 Oregon over three days. The action begins with a doubleheader Friday at 6:30 PM ET (BTN+).

🔗 More on FSU Softball’s strong start here.

🎾 No. 25 FSU Men’s Tennis Heads West for First ACC Road Trip

The Seminoles (10-3) hit the road for a coast-to-coast conference battle, traveling to California for matchups against new ACC members California (Friday, 7 PM ET) and No. 9 Stanford (Sunday, 4 PM ET).

🔥 Key Storylines:

• 🏆 Strong Start to ACC Play – FSU opened conference play with dominant wins over Boston College (7-0) and SMU (4-0), building on its top-10 road win vs. Texas A&M.

• 🎯 Corey Craig (No. 19 Singles) – Riding a three-match win streak on Court 1, clinching each of FSU’s last three victories.

• 🔥 Doubles Dominance – No. 3-ranked duo Alex Bulte & Youcef Rihane are 15-0 this season, yet to drop more than two games in a winning match.

• 🚀 ITA Rankings Update – FSU climbed to No. 25 nationally, with Jamie Connel (No. 46) and Connel/Craig (No. 66 doubles) also making the list.

📅 Head-to-Head:
✅ vs. California – Won last two meetings (2019, 2022).
✅ vs. Stanford – Won lone matchup in 2007 (7-0 sweep).

🔗 More on FSU’s big weekend ahead here.

🏊‍♀️ FSU Sends Six Entries to NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships

Florida State women’s swimming & diving will be well-represented at the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships, earning six event entries, including two individual qualifiers and three relay teams.

🔥 Key FSU Qualifiers:

🏅 Maddy Huggins – 100 Breast (22nd, 59.04) | 200 Breast (18th, 2:07.96)

• 3rd NCAA appearance

• Holds FSU’s 200 breaststroke school record

• 4th place in the 100 Breast at ACCs

🏅 Edith Jernstedt – 200 Butterfly (33rd, 1:55.70)

• 4th NCAA appearance

• 11th at ACCs & 2nd-fastest 200 Fly in FSU history

🔥 Relay Teams Qualified:

• 200 Medley Relay

• 400 Medley Relay (FSU record-breakers at ACCs!)

• 200 Freestyle Relay

🚀 Relay Swimmers:
✅ Alice Velden – Freshman standout, 2nd-fastest 100 backstroke in FSU history (52.17)
✅ Jenny Halden – 3rd NCAA appearance, key butterfly leg in relays
✅ Maryn McDade – Freshman, personal bests in 50 Free (22.57) & 100 Free (49.90)
✅ Gloria Muzito – Senior captain, 3rd NCAA appearance, led off ACC relay with a blazing 48.47

📅 What’s Next?
🗓 NCAA Championships: March 19-22 | 📍 Federal Way, Washington
🏊‍♀️ FSU divers compete at NCAA Zone B Championships (March 9-12) for additional qualifiers

🔗 More on FSU’s NCAA qualifiers here.

🏈 FSU Offense Standing Out in Winter Workouts Ahead of Spring Practice

With Tour of Duty nearing its conclusion and spring practice set to begin on March 19, Florida State’s offense has been putting in serious work. Noles247 sources inside the program have highlighted multiple players making a strong impression during winter workouts.

Here’s the latest buzz on FSU’s offense:

🔥 Quarterbacks: Castellanos Setting the Tone

FSU transfer QB Thomas Castellanos is turning heads—not just with his talent, but with his constant presence around the team.

🔺 “He’s around constantly.” – Program Source

Unlike last year’s transfer QB DJ Uiagalelei, who lived further from campus, Castellanos has fully immersed himself in team culture—helping recruit transfers, attending workouts, and constantly engaging with teammates.

🚀 Brock Glenn ("been killing it") is also impressing with his mobility, leadership, and urgency heading into his third year.
⚡ Kevin Sperry & Trever Jackson are showing strong athletic upside early.

💨 Running Backs: Williams & Lucas Drawing Attention

🔴 Roydell Williams (Alabama transfer) – Standing out for his physicality & energy, and the staff believes he’ll flourish in FSU’s inside-zone scheme (similar to Alabama’s).
📈 Jaylin Lucas – Back from injury & looking explosive, a huge sign considering his game-breaking speed (6.5 YPC, 13.0 YPC before injury).

📡 Pass Catchers: Robinson & Loftin Impressing

💥 Duce Robinson (USC transfer, top-rated incoming transfer)

• Described as “awesome” by multiple sources.

• Elite athleticism at 6’6”—living up to the hype.

• Known as a gym rat—constantly getting extra work in.

🔥 Chase Loftin (Freshman TE)

• "The freshman turning the most heads."

• Elite athletic profile & strong effort in workouts.

• Pushing for a Turquoise Jersey—rare for a freshman.

🏋️ Markeston Douglas (Returning TE)

• Taking his final season seriously—best shape of his career.

🛠 Offensive Line: Transfers Making an Impact

✅ Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest transfer, likely starting center)

• Praised for maturity & leadership—already winning over teammates & coaches.

✅ Micah Pettus & Adrian Medley (Transfers)

• Both have made strong early impressions.

✅ Jacob Rizy (Returning OL)

• Earned recognition for his progress & work ethic.

🚑 Gunnar Hansen (Limited with upper-body injury)

• Avoided long-term injury, should be ready for spring.

📅 What’s Next?

🏈 Spring Practice Begins → March 19
💪 Tour of Duty Wraps Up → Before Spring Break

🔗 More on FSU’s standout offensive performers here.

🏈 4⭐ LB Duyon Forkpa Jr. Sets Official Visit to FSU

Florida State is among five schools that will host IMG Academy linebacker Duyon Forkpa Jr. for an official visit this summer.

🔥 Forkpa’s Official Visit Schedule:
📍 FSU – June 6-8
📍 Minnesota – May 30-June 1
📍 Michigan – June 13-15
📍 USF – June 17-19
📍 Cincinnati – June 20-22

Cincinnati is pushing the hardest for the 6’0, 225-pound linebacker, but Colorado has recently entered the mix. Forkpa, who wants to play in a system that showcases his pass-rushing and coverage skills, plans to commit mid-season after evaluating all his options.

🔗 More on Forkpa’s recruitment here.

And that’s a wrap!

From baseball’s unbeaten streak to softball’s dominance and football’s spring momentum, Florida State is making waves across the board. With key matchups, NCAA qualifiers, and spring football on deck, there’s no slowing down in Tallahassee!

📅 Coming up next:
🔥 FSU Baseball & Softball face major tests on the road.
🏈 Spring practice kicks off March 19—who will emerge as a difference-maker?
🎾 Tennis, swimming, and more push for postseason success!

Stay locked in, ‘Nole Nation. Big things are ahead! 👊🍢