The senior slugger aims to cement a legacy and secure a postseason bye as the Miami Hurricanes' powerhouse offense collides with the Florida State Seminoles' elite pitching in Tallahassee.
Miami, FL. – The Miami Hurricanes baseball program is 24 hours away from starting a three-game series against the No. 11 Florida State Seminoles. The matchup presents an opportunity to climb the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, clinch a double-bye in the conference tournament, and close the regular season with significant momentum.
This college baseball year marks a final chapter for several players, including fifth-year senior right fielder Derek Williams. He is on pace to finish with a career season, currently with 68 hits in 178 at-bats, 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 48 runs scored, 65 runs batted in, a .382 batting average, and a 1.170 OPS in 50 games, all starts. Williams is among the top 40 hitters in Division I baseball, looking for a “banger” ending before departing from the program.
“This season is one that I’ll remember the most,” he said in Monday’s media availability. “It’s my last ride at college and the University of Miami. I’m going to try to make it the best year I can possibly make it and going out on a bang.”
The Hurricanes will face one of the ACC’s elite pitchers in junior lefty Wes Mendes. He currently holds a 2.42 ERA in 13 games, third best in the conference. Williams expressed familiarity with what the Tampa native brings to the mound, having faced off against each other before.
“Faced him last year a few times when we played them,” he said. “I know he’s a good pitcher and what he brings to the table, but I love competition and rising up to the occasion. I’m excited for it and it’s a little in-state rivalry to end the season. I’m ready to go.”
Earlier this season, the Hurricanes faced another in-state rival, the Florida Gators, and lost the series. Williams had four hits and eight at-bats, four runs batted in, a home run, and a run scored in the two games. However, the 23-year-old doesn’t believe the final results paint the full picture of the Hurricanes’ performances.
“The score might not have been what it was in those games,” he said. “We played them super close and some calls went their way that should’ve went our way was the deciding factor of those games. If we come [to Tallahassee] and play our University of Miami baseball, we’ll handle business the way we need to.”
The first game of the series starts on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, streaming on the ACC Network Extra.
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