iStockphoto / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
One of college baseball’s top rivalries will take place on the final weekend of the regular season. Miami will travel to face Florida State in a three-game set.
Emotions should be at a high with both teams fighting for postseason positioning. Hurricanes infielder Jake Ogden has already kickstarted the drama while welcoming potential humiliation.
He refused to acknowledge the Seminoles‘ ace, who he’ll likely face on Thursday night. In doing so, he sets himself up for mockery should he fail to produce.
Jake Ogden doesn’t know Wes Mendes.
Or so he says. When asked about the Florida State starting pitcher this week, he had the following to say.
“Who is that? I don’t know nothing about him.”
“I don’t know nothing about him” 😏
Jake Ogden didn’t hesitate stirring the rivalry pot this morning lol pic.twitter.com/GOBN0qz6YY
— Kacy Hintz (@KacyHintz) May 11, 2026
That, undoubtedly, is a lie. The entire country has heard of Mendes, who leads the ACC with 103 strikeouts.
The lefty is 9-3 on the season with a 2.42 ERA. He is considered a Top 50 MLB Draft prospect, likely to be picked early in the selection process.
Mendes transferred from Ole Miss after his freshman season. Since, he’s played in one rivalry series against the Hurricanes.
Last year, he was beat up by the Miami offense to the tune of six earned runs across four innings. He walked four batters and hit three others in one of his worst performances of the year. Revenge will be on his mind.
Ogden hit leadoff in that previously mentioned contest, going 1-4 with two runs and a strikeout. He hopes to find success in Round 2. If he doesn’t, his timeline will inevitably be flooded by the Florida State fanbase.
Miami is fighting for a spot in the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
At this moment in time, the Hurricanes 35-15 with a 15-12 mark in ACC play. An RPI of 34 nationally puts them squarely on the bubble for postseason inclusion.
If the season ended today, they’d likely be in. They preserved that RPI standing with an abrupt cancellation of a recent game vs. FIU.
Miami has put all of its focus on the Seminoles, which are ranked 11th in the latest D1 Baseball poll. Florida State will be looking to secure a Top 16 seed.
A series win will solidify the Hurricanes’ NCAA Tournament resume. A loss will could things a bit more dicey. That has not stopped the team from providing bulletin board material. We’ll soon see if it comes back to bite.