The Seminoles pounded the ball early and often, forcing the mercy rule in routing James Madison Saturday.
Florida State baseball swung big on Valentine's Day -- and got the chance to celebrate the holiday early.
All thanks to some hot bats that spearheaded the 16-5 rout over James Madison, which got called in seven innings due to the mercy rule Saturday.
How efficient were the Seminoles at the bat? Four different players cracked two hits or more.
Cal Fisher, who was named a Florida State captain ahead of the season opener Friday, led the way with four hits. Fisher drove five runs home for RBIs. He also smacked a double and stole one base.
Noah Sheffield added to the hitting party at Mike Martin Field inside Dick Howser Stadium. Sheffield, the son of MLB legend Gary Sheffield, hit the ball three times including delivering one double. He also scored four runs to help complete the romp.
Brayden Dowd joined Sheffield in chipping three hits -- smacking two base hits on the afternoon. He drove three runners home but also led FSU in scoring five runs. Dowd's biggest smack came in the second, by sending the baseball over right field that lured three runners to home plate.
Myles Bailey became the last Seminole to pound multiple hits, settling for two on the day. Bailey brought in two runners.
Dowd wasn't the last FSU slugger to produce a home run. Brody Delamielleure smacked a solo home run shot during the fifth inning.
FSU in total scored 14 RBIs and delivered 17 total hits. Only four players struck out at the bat facing the Dukes' pitchers.
Florida State surrendered three doubles on defense. However, FSU's infielders and outfielders still prevented multiple runs from scoring. The pitching rotated through four different arms on the mound.
Sophomore righty Cade O’Leary got the win -- pitching in 2.1 innings in relief. He surrendered two runs on two hits with four strikeouts.
Junior left-hander Cooper Whited followed with 2.0 no-hit innings with three punchouts on the day.
Then, junior right-hander Cole Stokes finished off the run-rule win by producing a hitless seventh, striking out two in the process.
Florida State completes the three-game weekend series on Sunday in its attempt to start 3-0. Meanwhile, head coach Link Jarrett has now improved to 11-0 in season opening series games.
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