Florida State Loses in Stunning Fashion

Going into this game the Seminoles knew that their margin for error was going to be extremely thin, turned out it ended up being razor thin.

Both starting pitchers cruised through the first three innings of the game, Sitz actually outpitching Farmer. The Seminoles starter had continually been ahead of hitters and took advantage of a low strikezone allowing only 1 single to go along with five strikeouts. His counterpart was equially dominant surrendering a HBP and a single while striking out four.

Georgia Tech struck first in the top of the 4th as they took advantage of some pitches by Scott Sitz that he left up in the zone. Sitz had continually been ahead of hitters but fell behind Brandon Thomas before he hit a bomb of the right field wall that went for a triple and was brought home by the next batter on a RBI groundout to first. Florida State fought back in the bottom of the 4th with a lead off single from Stewart followed by a 1 out single from McGee. Brizuela then walked on 4 stratigh pitches and then Smit inexpplicably swings at a 2-0 pitch and hits it right to the shortstop for an easy double play ending the inning.

Florida State battled back in the 6th as Seth Miller was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by DJ Stewart. Marcus Davis hit an absolute rope to right field but was deep enough to score Miller and move Stewart to third. A walk by McGee and another sacrafice to center field by Brizuela tied the game at two.

Sitz would be pulled after seven innings, but left the Noles in a fantastic position to take the first game of the tournament. Striking out six and allowing one walk, Sitz left the game with the scored tied at two. Billy Strode would enter in the 8th and get three quick outs.

The Seminoles would strike again in the bottom half of the 8th which began off a leadoff triple from Stewart. With the ball bouncing off the top of the wall in deep right center, the call would remain a triple since it did not hit above the yellow line. In what was becoming more reminiscent of the Clemson series, it appeared as if FSU would no be able to score after having a man in scoring position with none out. A pop out in foul territory from Davis and what appeared to be a pop out to the shortstop in short right field seemed like the Noles would falter like they did in a few innings this past weekend. However, some gutsy base running from Stewart and a ball almost lost in the sun brought in the run for Florida State, making it 3-2 in the 8th inning.

Robby Coles would enter to try and save it for FSU in the 9th not allowing a homerun all season. Coles quickly got two ground outs to the left side of the infield and still had not allowed a homerun all season. With the last out in sight, Coles left a ball up and saw it fly over the left field wall, his first homerun allowed on the season. The solo blast from A.J. Murray tied the game at three. The next Yellow Jacket to see Coles would follow suit with a solo homer of his own as Mott Hyde gave Georgia Tech a 4-3 lead in the 9th. One out away from winning the game and within two pitches, the Noles trail. Robby Coles had faced 130 batters this season and not allowed a homerun, it sucks for fans but is no way indicitave of Coles as a pitcher or what they should expcet from him in the future.

Florida State would enter the bottom half of the 9th with John Nogowski flying out to center field. Jameis Winston with then take a third strike looking on a 2-2 pitch. With Giovanny Alfonzo as the Seminoles’ last hope, the final out would be recorded with a fly out to left. Florida State falls to Georgia Tech 4-3 in unbelievable fashion and start the ACC Tournament 0-1 for round-robin play.

Some silver lining is that Florida State lost to Tech's ace while throwing their 3rd starter which leaves their ace and number 2 remaining for VT and Virginia. Noles will regroup and be prepared for VT tomorrow night.

Go Noles!