There is not much more this coaching staff can do to prepare the team for opening day. It is finally here. It is time to lace up the spikes and go to work. The fans, this team, and especially the animals of Section B have all been patiently waiting for this day.
This weekend’s series is between two teams that enter the 2025 season in almost the same boat. Who comes out on top depends on which team has done a better job getting the better boat paddle. The James Madison Dukes and the Seminoles enter the season having come off historic 2024 campaigns. James Madison compiled a 36-25 (17-13 SBC) record in 2024, which saw them reach the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 13 seasons.
2025 JMU is projected to finish sixth in the conference, according to the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coach’s Poll. So, the question needs to be answered; who got the better boat paddle? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the season opener matchup against James Madison Dukes.
FRIDAY, February 14, 2025 – 5:00 p.m.– ACCNX
FSU: LHP Jamie Arnold (2024:11-3, 2.98 ERA) vs. JMU: RHP Jackson Logar (2024: 0-0, 5.19 ERA)
SATURDAY, February 15, 2025 – 2:00 p.m. – ACCNX
FSU: LHP Joey Volini (2024: 3-0, 4.40 ERA) vs. JMU: LHP Jaden Kinsler (2024: 3-2, 6.00 ERA)
SUNDAY, February 16, 2025 – 12:00 p.m. – ACCNX
FSU: LHP Wes Mendes (2024: 2-1, 6.82 ERA) vs. JMU: RHP Todd Mozoki (2024: 5-2, 6.62 ERA)
Last year, the Dukes excelled offensively, ranking 56th in batting average (.297), 50th in hits (455), 44th in slugging percentage (.505), and 56th in home runs (88). However, this season poses a significant challenge, as the Dukes have lost a majority of their production from 2024. Specifically, six out of nine regular starters from last season have left the program.
JMU entered this season needing to replace several key offensive players, including catcher Jason Schiavone, infielder Mike Mancini, infielder Mason Dunaway, outfielder Fenwick Trimble, and outfielder Brendan O’Donnell. Together, these players accounted for 74% of the team’s home runs and over 50% of the runs (183), hits (271), and RBI (177). To say that this team is in trouble would be an understatement. In addition to losing their top offensive players, the Dukes also lost their top three relief pitchers—Hunter Entsminger, Joe Vogatsky, and Donovan Burke—who collectively accounted for 34% of the team’s innings pitched and strikeouts. This trio combined allowed just 31% (186) of the team’s 598 hits while throwing 182 innings in 71 games and producing 150 strikeouts, holding opponents to a .265 batting average.
James Madison is led by Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry, who is in his tenth season with the Dukes. He has established himself as a proven program builder and player developer during his tenure. In his nine seasons as head coach, he has amassed a record of 220-209 (.513). However, this is baseball, and anything can happen; thus, JMU should not be underestimated. Coach Ikenberry’s approach to the game is the same as Coach Jarrett’s, which emphasizes tactics like sacrifice bunting, double steals, and hit-and-run calls, often forcing opposing defenses to make mistakes.
The Dukes return two key players this season: junior third baseman #23 Wyatt Peifer and senior outfielder #22 Ryan Dooley. Peifer started all 61 games last season and possesses outstanding bat speed and strength. He effectively controls the strike zone, covers the entire plate, and consistently makes contact. Last season, he recorded 61 hits, including 19 doubles, two triples, and five home runs, while scoring 40 runs and driving in 44 RBI.
Dooley, who will likely serve as the designated hitter this season, batted .303 in 61 games last year. He had an OPS of .863, with a .404 on-base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage. In addition to scoring 51 runs and driving in 44, he connected for 70 hits, including two triples, five home runs, and 17 doubles. Dooley also demonstrated speed on the bases, with 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts.
I know that with ace Donovan Burke no longer starting, all eyes are on sophomore Jackson Logar as he has the potential to take over the top spot in the rotation. Logar made 22 appearances, including two starts, and pitched 43.1 innings, registering 43 strikeouts with a 5.19 ERA.
However, the player that concerns me the most is junior left-hander Max Kuhle, who has been named to the Stopper of the Year Award Watch List. This award is presented to the top relief pitcher in college baseball. Kuhle is coming off a season where he went 5-4 with one save to go along with a 4.13 ERA across 61.0 innings. He held opposing batters to a .239 batting average and struck out 67. Kuhle began last year as a starter, but after shifting to the bullpen he posted a 3-1 record with a 3.16 ERA.
During those 13 relief appearances, he tossed 25.2 innings while striking out 29 batters to eight walks and held batters to a .242 average. Heading into this season, along with an expanded leadership role, Kuhle is an option out of the bullpen once again, as JMU head coach Marlin Ikenberry is even looking at Kuhle as the team’s possible closer since Joe Vogatsky graduated last year.
The Dukes will roll with junior left-hander Jaden Kinsler, who made nine appearances with four starts last season. He recorded a 3-2 record with a 6.00 ERA. Kinsler punched out 34 batters while walking 17 in 33 innings of work. JMU’s Sunday starter will be senior right-hander Todd Mozoki. He made 20 appearances with 10 starts last year playing a big role for the Dukes. Mozoki posted a 5-2 record with a 6.62 ERA. In 53 innings pitched, he struck out 45 batters while walking 27 and giving up 72 hits.
On paper, this should be an easy sweep. I’m confident in this prediction because Coach Jarrett will have the team motivated to play on Friday, and frankly, the talent levels just don’t compare when looking at the players brought into each program. However, as I mentioned, James Madison’s head coach, Marlin Ikenberry, has an approach to the game that stands out in today’s era of baseball. His strategy includes a heavy emphasis on sacrifice bunting, double steals, and hit-and-run plays.
JMU proved many people wrong in 2024 when they opened the season by taking one game against last season’s number three team Arkansas and number sixteen Coastal Carolina. So, what do I think the outcome will be? I believe the Dukes’ loss of production won’t match what Coach Jarrett and the Seminoles have in their arsenal.
Therefore, Seminole fans, get together with Harry Potter, the Wicked Witch, or the Sanderson sisters and see if you can borrow a broom because I predict the Seminoles will sweep James Madison this weekend. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that the Seminoles’ defense will hold JMU to under five runs per game, while the Seminoles’ offense will score ten or more runs in two of the three games. Go Noles!
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