Mendes dominated Duke's bats, fanning 12 over six scoreless innings. Seminoles secure a hard-fought Game 1 victory.
The first six innings of Game 1 of a three-game series between Florida State (20-5, 6-1 ACC) and Duke (17-11, 4-6) on Friday were as exciting as watching paint dry. A real snooze fest.
Florda State’s Friday-night flamethrower, left-hander Wes Mendes, sent the Blue Devils back to the visitors hotel nearly empty-handed in a 3-1 Seminoles victory at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee.
In what was a pitcher’s dual for most of the game, Mendes (6-1) showcased a pitching repertoire that produced 12 strikeouts, one walk, and zero earned runs over six innings of work on 104 pitches, and got the win. He lowered his ERA to 1.33.
John Abraham came on in relief and got his third save of the season. So far this spring, Abraham has pitched 24 innings, with an ERA of 0.75. He has recorded 34 strikeouts and allowed only six walks.
In a losing effort, Duke starter Aidan Weaver rang up 12 strikeouts, but allowed four hits, two earned runs and four walks on 99 pitches.
Jarrett Praises Pitching
In his postgame press conference after the win, Florida State coach Link Jarrett praised Mendes and also the Duke pitching staff.
"Heck of a game. Their starting pitcher was obviously exceptional," Jarrett said. "The combination of that look of the fast ball with the changeup that was 79 mph, 80-81 miles an hour and an 87-mph slider. He pitched great. I mean, I tipped my hat."
Jarrett called Mendes' outing "sharp," as the junior starter worked his way out of "a little bit of a mess" in the fifth inning.
"He threw everything. He navigated it," he said. "It might not have been as sharp with the execution, but I do think the quality of the actual stuff was good."
The Seminoles struggled at the plate, managing just four hits, courtesy of Chase Williams, Kelvyn Paulino, Myles Bailey and Hunter Carns. Williams and Paulino each booked an RBI in the game. Bailey and Carns hit doubles. But as a team, Florida State left eight runners stranded.
The Seminoles were 4-28 at the plate Friday night (.143 average) and batted a dismal 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position. And against left-handed pitching, Florida State left the bats in the dugout, going 0-for-4.
Nevertheless, with the win, the Seminoles remain atop the ACC standings with a 6-1 record. Florida State is now 15-1 within the cozy confines of Mike Martin Field.
How to Watch Game 2
Date: Saturday, March 28
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Venue: Mike Martin Field, Dick Howser Stadium
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
TV: ACC Network
Radio: 100.7 FM WFLA
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