FSU faces Stanford ace in super regional opener

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida State will have to get past one of the best pitchers in college baseball to win the opening game of a best-of-three NCAA super regional series.

The Seminoles face Stanford's Mark Appel (10-1, 2.27) Friday night in Tallahassee.

Stanford coach Mark Marquess says Appel is the hardest thrower he's had at Stanford. That includes Mike Mussina and Cy Young Award winner Jack McDowell.

Appel was selected eighth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Major League Baseball draft earlier this week. Appel struck out 10 or more hitters on eight occasions this season, including 11 in Stanford's regional opener last week.

Florida State outfielder James Ramsey joined Appel in the first round, going 23rd to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Seven Florida State players and five from Stanford were drafted.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)