FSU baseball coach Link Jarrett faces former FSU coaching assistant Mike Bell at Pittsburgh

For the second week in a row, FSU baseball coach Link Jarrett must face another ACC team with which he has a mutual connection with.

Last weekend, it was North Carolina State, where his son, J.T., played and is now director of player and program development. The Seminoles are at Pittsburgh this weekend, where he will face Pitt's head coach and former FSU assistant coach, Mike Bell.

Bell has been Pitt's head coach for six seasons. Before that, he was an associate and pitching coach for seven years. Jarrett talks about his relationship with Bell, the years they spent together throughout their coaching careers, and facing someone with whom he has a personal connection.

"It's awkward," Jarrett said.

"Like it's weird. Last week was really strange to coach when my son was playing was one of the most awkward things I've ever been through. It's kind of cool, but it's also not always enjoyable. And I think it's the same when you have these type of connections because the ramifications of what happens out there once you throw a pitch one. Somebody's gonna come in first. and somebody's gonna come in second, and that's always tough."

FSU is coming off an 11-inning thriller over Jacksonville, where he switched things in the starting lineup on Tuesday. Jordan Williams made his first start for the Seminoles. He finished with two hits and stole his 10th stolen bases. DeAmez Ross, who started in place of injured Max Williams, hit the season's first home run, and Lance Trippel led with the walk-off win.

Jarrett likes that he has the options of who he wants in the starting lineup when needed, and even as a reserve player, they can still be key contributors.

"I do think we have guys that can step in and answer and deliver," Jarrett said. "And on the outside, you may not realize those aren't the guys who started the season on the field or in the batting order. I think we have those capabilities. It's gonna get you ready, and you're gonna see it."

Connor Whittaker expects to play as a relief pitcher

After the Jacksonville game, Jarrett confirmed that pitcher Connor Whittaker is expected to play against the Panthers this weekend.

It will be Whittaker's first game back since April 6. While viewed as a starter, the junior will perform bullpen duties while Jarrett monitors his pitches and has yet to decide if he'll be the leading pitcher on Sunday.

"The game will tell us what to do," Jarrett said. "The neat thing about Whitt is I don't think it matters whether it's a righty or lefty that you have to enter the game to face if we're in some sort of trouble because he's pretty effective against either, so that's nice. Now, whether it's relief or we get into a game of where it starts out, we'll just have to sort that out. here."

Jarrett also noted that Whittaker has experience as a relief pitcher and will understand his task when his name is called. In 39 innings, Whitaker pitched 35 strikeouts and has a 5.31 ERA.

Link Jarrett revisits Marshall McDougal's six-home run gave vs. Maryland

It was 25 years ago to this day when FSU legend Marshall McDougall hit a record of six home runs and 16 RBI against Maryland. Jarrett wasn't coaching at the time but did witness it firsthand as a color analyst for Fox Sports.

It was the first he ever broadcasted a game and interviewed McDougall.

"I think it was the first time I've ever gone down, and they're talking to me in an earpiece. I'm trying to tell the Marshall and just watch that unfold," Jarrett recalled. "Most amazing thing, I mean, to have six at-bats out in a game, you just don't get that very often to have five hits or six hits.

"Now Maryland stadium, it was set up for that because it's tight, and they had this hot bats and the rest was history man. So yeah, I happened to be there. I remember it."

To this day, no FSU player hit six homers or more. FSU celebrated that historic game on social media, reminding everyone who still holds the crown.

Mason McDougall, Marshall's son, is on the current FSU roster as a freshman.

Florida State baseball advance box

FSU ( 36-10,14-9) vs. Pittsburgh (21-25, 6-18)

When/Where: Friday, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 3 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. Charles L. Cost Field, Pittsburgh, PA,

Broadcast info: ACCNX/ WLFA 100.7

Last game: FSU beat Jacksonville 7-6 Tuesday. Pittsburgh beat Wright St. 22-4 on Wednesday

Series history: FSU 14-6

Around the Horn: Jamie Arnold is ranked seventh in the country with 100 strikeouts. Cam Smith has been on base in 56 straight games .... Smith is among the top five in the conference in batting average (.386), run score (60), and hits (73). James Tibbs III leads the Seminoles with 19 home runs, which tied for second in the conference. ... Tibbs II is also No. 1 in the ACC with 70 runs batted in and second .807 slugging percentage. ... Pittsburgh head coach Mike Bell was FSU's associate head coach and pitching coach for seven years before being hired by Pitt. ... Junior catcher Jayden Melendez leads the Panthers with 13 home runs. Junior infielder Luke Cantwell is Pitts' RBI leader with 41, and senior outfielder Dom Popa leads the team with 58 hits and 41 runs. ... Junior pitcher Ryan Andrade is the Panthers' strikeout leader with 55.

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU baseball faces Pittsburgh Panthers in last road conference series