The Seminoles explode offensively, clinching series win with dominant run-rule performance against ACC rival NC State.
No. 10 Florida State wasted no time in Game 3 of its series against No. 11 NC State (18-6, 3-3), erupting for five runs in the second inning on the way to a 15-5 run-rule victory over the Wolfpack on Sunday.
The Seminoles also scored three runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth inning.
It was Florida State’s eighth run-rule victory of the season.
The Seminoles (19-4, 5-1) recorded 14 hits in the game, with multiple players producing at the plate on Sunday. Kelvyn Paulino led all Seminoles hitters with four RBI, courtesy of a double and a home run. Seven FSU hitters got at least one hit.
In addition to Paulino, Nathan Cmeyla (3), Eli Putnam (2), John Stuetzer (3) and Cal Fisher (2) all had multiple hits on the day for the Seminoles.
One player who was uncharacteristically quiet for Florida State was first baseman Myles Bailey. Bailey, who had hit three home runs in the series already, had zero hits on Sunday. NC State tried to limit his impact by walking him intentionally and then hitting him with a pitch. Bailey made up for his lack of hits by scoring four runs.
Starting pitcher Bryson Moore got the win, his fourth of the season against zero losses. Moore struck out five, walked three, allowed five hits and two earned runs in five innings of work.
NC State’s undoing was the result of two fielding errors and eight stranded runners. The Wolfpack’s starting pitcher, Heath Andrews (2-1), was chased after just one inning and took the loss. He gave up six hits and six earned runs with one strikeout. Luke Nixon, Chris McHugh and Dalton Bargo combined for all five of the Wolfpack’s runs.
Sunday’s victory marked the second consecutive ACC series win for Florida State. The Seminoles sit atop of the conference standings at 5-1.
In his postgame press conference, Florida State coach Link Jarrett spoke about his team's performance in the series against NC State.
"I'm excited about what I felt going into these games, when you play a series of this magnitude and it gets to the third game," Jarrett said. "That's a trait we need to grasp and be performing in those moments. So to see the level of focus on the mound, at the plate -- I know the defense wasn't flawless, but it was enough to extend -- and (I'm) proud of the at-bats, proud of the grit, proud of the fight. It's hard -- it's hard to do that."
On the run-rule and how it impacts his team, especially with the Florida Gators up next on the schedule, Jarrett said it was important for his guys to lean in and close the game out "to save your catchers from getting beat up," he said, noting he didn't want to have to burn "through the bullpen when you really don't need to."
"When that rule is in place to allow you to end it, you need to end it," Jarrett said. "It saves a lot of wear and tear and unnecessary game if you can save it and close it."
Next Up for Seminoles
The Seminoles now turn their attention to their arch-rivals, the No. 18 Florida Gators. In their last meeting, FSU suffered a 6-3 defeat in Gainesville.
Florida was swept by the Alabama Crimson Tide over the weekend.
The Seminoles will be looking to avenge that earlier loss. Since that misstep against the Gators, Florida State has won six of their last seven games.
How to Watch Florida State vs. Florida
Date: Tuesday, March 24
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Venue: VyStar Ballpark
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
TV: SEC+
Radio: 100.7 FM WFLA
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