When Florida State takes the field this weekend to open NCAA Regional play, the spotlight will mostly fall on the Seminoles’ stars. But behind the scenes — and sometimes on the mound — is a story of quiet resilience.
Left-handed pitcher Jacob Marlowe's journey back to the field is one of the most inspiring of the season.
Just a year and a half ago, Marlowe was recovering from not one, but two open-heart surgeries . The Barron Collier High School graduate missed all of last season, unsure if he’d ever pitch again. Now, he’s part of a Seminole squad hosting an NCAA Regional for the 37th time — a Division I record.
“I’m back to where I was before surgery,” Marlowe said. “Just overall feeling great.”
The Southpaw returned to the mound this spring and earned his first start on May 6 against Jacksonville, a meaningful moment that capped months of rehab and uncertainty.
“I was a little bit nervous going out there for the first time in a year,” he said. “But it felt really relieving once I was able to get out there.”
Florida State enters the postseason as the No. 9 national seed, set to face Bethune-Cookman on Friday at 3 p.m. Northeastern and Mississippi State round out the Tallahassee Regional bracket.
"We’ve always been very resilient throughout the year,” he said. “To be the number nine seed is a huge accomplishment.”
With his family in the stands and a postseason opportunity ahead, Marlowe is soaking in the moment, one he wasn’t sure would come. His recovery journey has made him a quiet fan favorite, especially among those who’ve followed his health challenges. He’s received support not just from his teammates and coaches, but from the Seminole faithful in the stands.
“I’ve actually had a lot of people come up to me during the games,” he said. “I’ve met a few fans of FSU that I wouldn’t have known if I didn’t get the surgery, it’s just really cool. Just to see those people and how much of an inspiration I am to them.”
Now stronger — literally — than he was a year ago, Marlowe said he has worked tirelessly to build back velocity and stamina. A summer of rehab and innings in summer ball helped lay the foundation for his return.
“There was a lot of weight that I had to add back to be able to throw harder again,” he said. “And then I went to summer ball, just let me feel that again and try to get those nerves out of the way of how my heart is going to react to all this. I think that’s really helped me throughout this year.”
Still, Marlowe is quick to give credit to his teammates — many of whom are among the best in the country.
“Jamie Arnold, for example, one of the best pitchers in college baseball. He’s one of our leaders,” Marlowe said. “We have Alex Lodise, just being able to watch them play baseball, it makes all of us also feel better about ourselves and want us to compete at a higher level.”
FSU isn’t looking too far ahead, Marlowe says, not to Super Regionals, not to Omaha. The team is locked in on Friday — and Friday only.
“Every day, we’re trying to just look at the next game that’s ahead of us. We’re not really trying to focus on rankings and all that. That’ll come if we just keep winning," Marlowe said.
For Marlowe, the moment is bigger than baseball. It’s about being back, healthy, and contributing — however he can.
“Oh, yeah. It’d mean the world,” he said. “It’s playoffs. Everyone’s got a little sharper edge to them, and I feel like it’d be a really exciting moment for me.”
Marlowe has already proven something — to himself, to his team, and to everyone watching.
“Just being a part of it is something that a lot of kids dream to do,” he said. “And I’m just proud to be here.”
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