Friday night across college baseball was all about the arms, as dominant pitching performances stole the spotlight from coast to coast. From complete-game shutouts to career-high strikeout totals, aces and emerging names alike delivered statement outings in pivotal matchups. Whether it was a dazzling performance from a projected first-rounder, a breakout from a mid-major ace, or steady hands anchoring key conference battles, the mound was where the biggest noise came from. As the season barrels toward the postseason stretch, Friday served as a reminder that strong pitching remains the ultimate separator.

Below are the top performers from the Friday slate of games!

Atlantic Coast Conference

Covered by Brian Switzer II “Switz”

Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State - 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, Win (101 Pitches)

The debate for Jamie Arnold at 1:1 only continues to heat up, and his performance Friday night against Louisville made another strong statement. Arnold held the Cardinals to just two runs on six hits across a career-long 7.2 innings, striking out a season-best 11 and walking only one. He threw a season-high 101 pitches in the outing, improving to 5-1 on the year.

Arnold came out sharp, retiring the side in order in the first inning on just 12 pitches and punching out two. Though he allowed a solo home run in the second, he rebounded with a nine-pitch third and a 10-pitch fourth that included a smooth 6-4-3 double play. His efficiency carried over into the sixth when he started a 1-6-5-4 fielder’s choice double play to erase a threat, and he ended the seventh inning with three consecutive strikeouts, stranding a leadoff runner at first.

On the night, Arnold showcased arguably his best pitch mix of the season, throwing all five offerings (four-seam, sinker, cutter, changeup, slider) with effectiveness. It was likely his heaviest usage of the cutter and changeup combination yet, producing 19 swings and misses overall. Over his last three starts, Arnold has logged 19.2 innings, allowed just three earned runs, and struck out 30 batters.

Simply put: if there were still any lingering doubts, Arnold has erased them. He's pitching like the best college player in the 2025 draft class, and the Nationals might be getting an absolute ace at the top.

AJ Gracia, OF, Duke - 6 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 K

It’s been a rough sophomore season for the big man in Durham, but the fireworks he delivered on Friday night were enough to earn him a spot on the Daily Sheet this week. In a back-and-forth ACC battle, Gracia came up clutch, hammering a first-pitch fastball to dead center field for a three-run walk-off homer (his fifth of the season), to lift Duke over Virginia Tech with a 6-3 win in 11 innings. It marked the Blue Devils' third walk-off victory of April and pushed their record to 10-4 for the month.

Gracia finished the night with a two-hit performance, continuing a quiet resurgence at the plate despite an overall down year. Even with the sophomore slump, there’s still plenty of belief in the tools and projection long-term, and Gracia’s name should be expected to land on 2026 MLB Draft prospect lists later this year.

Griffin Hugus, RHP, Miami - 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HBP (82 Pitches)

Hugus continues to quietly put together one of the better breakout campaigns in the ACC this spring. The Florida native, who was previously used more as a swingman during his time at Cincinnati, but has transitioned into a true Friday night anchor for Miami and is positioning himself to hear his name called somewhere on Day 2 of the MLB Draft this July.

On Friday night, Hugus delivered another steady outing, allowing just one run across six innings while scattering four hits, issuing two walks, and recording one strikeout. He showed poise and efficiency throughout the outing, keeping the Hurricanes firmly in control and setting the tone for a key conference win.

For the season, Hugus now holds a 4–4 record with a 3.56 ERA and a 68:23 strikeout-to-walk ratio over a little more than 60 innings of work. The fastball command, developing feel for multiple secondaries, and overall competitive edge he brings to the mound have made him one of the more intriguing arms rising up draft boards as we move closer to the summer.