Florida State University’s baseball team began its 2026 season with a 5-1 win over James Madison University on Friday at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee. The Seminoles, ranked No. 16, scored early and maintained their lead throughout the game.
Sophomore first baseman Myles Bailey hit a home run in the first inning, giving Florida State a quick advantage. Redshirt sophomore right fielder Brody DeLamielleure added another home run in the second inning. Junior left-handed pitcher Wes Mendes started for FSU and threw five scoreless innings, striking out seven and allowing just four hits to earn his tenth career win.
After James Madison reduced the deficit to one run in the sixth inning, Florida State responded with three runs in the eighth. Sophomore pinch hitter Noah Sheffield delivered a two-RBI single as part of that rally.
The Seminoles have now won all ten games they have played against James Madison and remain undefeated (9-0) under head coach Link Jarrett in opening-series games. The sellout crowd of 6,700 marked the second consecutive year that Florida State has sold out its season opener.
FSU recorded eight hits while limiting JMU to seven hits; both teams committed an error. James Madison left ten runners on base, while Florida State stranded eight.
Junior right-hander Brodie Purcell pitched the final 2.1 innings for FSU, allowing no runs and earning his fifth career save.
Bailey’s home run was his eighth in his last ten games dating back to last season. DeLamielleure led off the second inning with a homer as well.
Mendes worked through several jams during his outing but kept JMU off the scoreboard until he exited after five innings. James Madison’s only run came on a wild pitch in the sixth inning.
In the eighth inning, Florida State loaded the bases with no outs before Sheffield drove in two insurance runs with a single up the middle following a balk that scored another runner.
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m., concluding Sunday at 1 p.m., both at Dick Howser Stadium. Limited tickets are available at Seminoles.com/Tickets or by calling FSU’s ticket office at 850-644-1830. Students can attend free with their FSUID via entry at Haggard Plaza’s right field gate; stadium gates open an hour before each game throughout 2026.
Saturday home games feature military recognitions during Military Saturday Presented by VyStar, including “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch. Sunday games are promoted as Sunday Funday: Kids Club members and youth wearing little league jerseys get free admission; children age twelve and under can run bases postgame; Mardi Gras beads will be distributed while supplies last.
Both remaining weekend games will stream live on ACC Network Extra via television providers or ESPN+ subscriptions. Radio broadcasts are available on local stations (96.5 FM The Spear for Saturday; WFLA 100.7 FM for Sunday), online through Seminoles Unconquered App and Seminoles.com, where fans can also access live stats and further coverage through social media channels (@FSUBaseball on Twitter/X and Facebook; @NoleBaseball on Instagram).
For more details about Florida State baseball news or schedule updates visit Seminoles.com or follow official team accounts across social media platforms.
