FSU pitching dominates Wake Forest, clinching the series with a masterful one-hit shutout, as Beard strikes out 14 and the offense delivers crucial runs.
There was a pitcher’s duel in Winston-Salem on Saturday.
Fresh off a “run-rule” 10-0 victory on Friday night, courtesy of five Florida State home runs, Game 2 was just as dominant as pitcher Trey Beard and the No. 20 Seminoles (15-3) won the series against No. 12 Wake Forest with a 2-0 victory.
Beard took the mound and showed the baseball world why he is ranked among the top 100 Major League prospects, as he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
Beard showed complete command of his pitches and of the strike zone. He allowed just one hit, one walk, no runs and struck out 14 batters, before being pulled in the sixth inning after 90 pitches, and was replaced by John Abraham. Beard lowered his ERA to 1.89.
The batter’s box for the Demon Deacons was a quiet place.
It was a place where the batting averages of the Wake Forest hitters went to die, as Beard mowed down the Demon Deacons at every plate appearance.
Abraham allowed just one walk, no hits, no runs and added two more strikeouts in his two innings.
Beard got his second win of the season, while Abraham recorded his second save for the Seminoles.
Wake Forest hurler Chris Levonas gave up two hits, three walks and a solo home run to FSU’s Nathan Cmeyla in the top of the fifth inning to put the Seminoles on the scoreboard.
It was the sixth home run hit by the Seminoles so far in the series.
Levonas was chased after six innings, but not before he struck out 10 FSU hitters.
It was the first defeat of the season for Levonas.
Eli Putnam added two hits and an RBI for Florida State.
While it was not the offensive display that occurred on Friday night, the Seminoles got their second consecutive shutout and, more importantly, their second conference victory.
The FSU pitching staff has clicked on all cylinders, and has recorded 27 strikeouts, four walks and allowed no runs in two games against the No. 12 team in the country.
The Demon Deacons collected just three hits in the series against the Seminoles pitching staff.
Florida State now has 100 victories against 40 losses in the series history with Wake Forest.
Game 3 is scheduled for Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EST and will be televised on the ACC Network.
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