In case it was not clear, Florida State baseball is legit.
The Seminoles stormed into Gainesville and snapped a four-game losing streak against the Gators as the offense exploded. FSU plated three runs in the second inning as the bottom of the order loaded the bases, and Ross brought two home after an error from the UF second baseman. James Tibbs blew the game open in the fourth inning with a three-run shot to put the ‘Noles up 7-0. Andrew Armstrong pitched three solid innings before Florida put up a five-run fourth inning on the backs of a grand slam to make the game interesting. FSU once more loaded the bases in the fifth with no one out but could not plate a run, and it felt like the Gators were seizing back control. However, Drew Faurot and Alex Lodise hit doubles in the sixth inning, plating three runs to double up Florida 10-5. Carson Dorsey took command on the mound and went 2 2⁄3 innings to give Link Jarrett and Micah Posey stability after a wild fourth.
Florida State could have wilted multiple times throughout this one but used a patient approach at the plate, timely hits, and solid defense to take the first of three matchups against the Gators. FSU continues to break records, going 15 straight games, scoring seven or more runs in a game, and keeping the undefeated streak alive.
Hitting: What a day from the middle infielders. Drew Faurot and Alex Lodise have been hot and cold to start the season but picked the perfect time to introduce themselves to the sunshine showdown. Drew Faurot led the line with three hits, including two doubles that came at a crucial time for FSU. The latter of those two knocks came in the sixth inning when the FSU’s lead shrunk to two. Faurot’s blast into right-center started the rally for the Seminoles and led to their third three-run inning of the day in the sixth. Faurot had cooled off after his WCU series but made hard contact all evening and felt like FSU’s best hitter. His infield partner, Alex Lodise, brought in two runs in the sixth with a double of his own when there were two outs in the frame. Florida State did not do well with two outs today, going 3-13, so the shortstop’s timely at-bat broke the game open for a second time. One spot above Lodise, Daniel Cantu may have had his best game as a Seminole. He went 3-3 today with two walks as the Gator pitching staff could not get him out. He provided timely at-bats as he extended the Seminole lead to four in the third inning.
Of course, the play of the day goes to James Tibbs III, who hit his team-leading eighth home run in the fourth inning. His bomb plated the winning runs and put Florida State on its way to its first-ranked victory.
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) March 12, 2024idk...this looks further than 348'
Tibbs goes yard for a 3-run blast, his 8th of the year!
B4 | FSU 7, UF 0 pic.twitter.com/EwctAcIrqe
Besides great individual performances, the Seminole approach at the plate led to their impressive day in the batter’s box. Eight of nine Florida State hitters recorded a knock as they did not give any of the eight (!) Florida pitchers a breather down the lineup. The key to their success came from eye discipline and keeping a small strike zone. FSU drew nine walks, including three in the second inning, to run up Gator pitch counts and get deep into at-bats. All season long, Florida State took the crumbs before taking the cake, and they lived that on Tuesday.
Pitching: Even though Florida picked up their sixth loss in 16 games tonight, the lineup is not at fault for their struggles. The Gators can hit 1-9, so giving up eight runs, especially a misplayed inside-the-park home run against an order like this, does not warrant as much concern as it usually would. Andrew Armstrong started the day and went three-plus before getting into trouble in the fourth. He did well to get out of jams, including getting three outs in two pitches after the first two men got on with nobody out in the bottom of the third. The issues came in the fourth inning when Joe Charles came on in relief of Armstrong and could only record two outs. Dorsey came on to finish the inning but hung a breaking ball that went out of the yard for a grand slam. However, the lefty responded well and only allowed one hit after the blast as he settled in and attacked the strike zone. Dorsey navigated nervous innings for Florida State before the offense put the game out of reach. He is clearly one of Link Jarrett’s most trusted pitchers out of the bullpen, and he has rewarded his faith today. Hudson Rowan took over in the sixth and had great life in his fastball, including a strikeout on potential first-round pick Jack Caglianone.
On a bullpen day, FSU returned to what has worked for them all season: throwing strikes and attacking hitters. Micah Posey did not stray from that tactic, as the bullpen recorded 15 strikeouts while giving up just three walks. Link Jarrett’s decision to move Conner Whittaker on this particular game and his bullpen management can be nitpicked, but besides one brutal inning, all is well that ends well.
FSU, in its second season under Link Jarrett, has been rolling to start the year.
The Florida State Seminoles baseball team completed another perfect weekend with a sweep of the University of New Orleans, moving FSU to a perfect 14-0 record. The Seminoles’ offense averaged 12 runs and was relentless in their barrage of the Privateers.
Florida State set a new program record with 15 straight games scoring seven or more runs as the bats are hotter than the Tallahassee summer sun. Cam Smith extended his hitting streak to a ridiculous 18 games, while Lodise stayed hot at the plate and brought his steak up to six games.
Jamie Arnold has not given up an earned run in 22 IP on the mound. The Tampa native took the rubber on Sunday due to weather concerns yesterday and pitched efficiently like he has all season. He ran into trouble during the second and third innings as he allowed two RISP and loaded the bases the following inning but used timely pitches to get out of the jams. John Abraham took over in the sixth and came out firing as he struck out the side, and then retired UNO 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh.
Florida State is now one of two undefeated teams left in the NCAA.
Up next, Florida State travels to Gainesville to take on the University of Florida Gators.
The Florida Gators are currently ranked number eight by D1Baseball despite a 10-5 record on the season. Most recently, the Gators took two out of three game in a weekend series with Saint Mary’s. Tuesday’s game will be FSU’s toughest opponent to date and will be the first of three matchups with the Gators on the season.
Game time, projected starting pitchers, how to watch/listen
Tuesday March 12th, 6 PM
Starting pitchers:
- FSU: LHP Andrew Armstrong (2-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. UF: RHP Alex Philpott (2-0, 2.57 ERA)
How to watch: SECN
How to listen: WFLA 100.7 FM
Gators to know:
- 1B Jac Caglianone: .429 BA, 5 HR, .683 SLG
- SS Colby Shelton: .356 BA, 9 HR, .847 SLG
