Short Handed Seminoles Sweep Boston College

The Florida State offense picked up right where they left off on Friday evening scoring 3 runs in the top of the first on only 2 hits. They added two more runs in the 3rd inning on a RBI single from Casey Smit and a sacrifice fly from John Sansone who had a nice day driving in 3 runs. Jose Brizuela would blow this game open with a bases loaded triple in the 7th inning and was followed up with a run scoring single by Casey Smit who has earned his way into a spot in the starting lineup. The Seminoles scored 10 runs for the 12th time in the 27 games they have played.

Bryant Holtmann took the mound for the Noles as Brandon Leibrandt was ill with the flu and he made the most of his first weekend start. The junior went a career high 6 innings on 78 pitches and allowed only 3 hits, none leaving the infield. The Boston College offense is absolutely terrible but it was a great sign to see a pitcher take advantage of that as Holtmann in proving to be an extremely valuable arm. The seldom used Brandon Johnson pitched a perfect 7th, 8th and 9th inning recording 4 strikeouts and earning his first career save. The Noles could use a reliable left handed arm with Strode struggling this season.

This series was odd from the start with the change of venue, the change of game times and the absence of three starters due to injury, illness and suspension. The Noles took care of business though and now move to 22-5 on the season and 10-2 in conference play. The offense that seems to have some worried is scoring 7.9 runs per game overall and 7.5 runs in the ACC with the pitching is taking care of business too. Their average margin of victory is 4.7 runs on the season and 4.3 runs in conference play.

Florida State is back in action on Tuesday night at home against Florida Gulf Coast before hosting Notre Dame for the first time since 2002.

GAME 1: FSU 6-0

This was an odd road trip from the start as the series had to be moved to the University of Rhode Island due to the fact that Boston College's field was unplayable.  The first game of the weekend series was moved up to 12PM today in preparation of a possible doubleheader due to the forecast of poor weather this weekend.

This game was over and done with before most fans realized it was even being played. Behind the strong pitching of Luke Weaver the Seminoles threw their second complete game shutout of the season, pretty remarkable since it had been a decade since it was last done.  The junior right hander pitched 6.2 innings of no hit baseball before a bloop single ended the no hit bid. Undeterred he finished his first complete game of his career where he allowed only 1 hit, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts on 105 pitches.

The offense saw contributions from just about everyone in the lineup as Brizuela, De la Calle, Knief and Smit each drove in runs while Nogowski scored twice after being on base three times in the game.  Of note with the absence of Stewart and Deluzio, John Sansone moved up to the 3 spot with Smit starting in left field and Gage West was the designated hitter but struggled going hitless.

GAME 2: FSU 11-7

The first eight innings of the game was about poor defense, the inability to hit, some bad breaks for pitchers and the inability to locate for relievers. Boston College and Florida State were tied at 2 after three innings, the Eagles were playing small ball, beating out infield hits and taking advantage of errors by the Noles defense to stay in the game. It felt that they were doing whatever they could to keep the game close but were just delaying the inevitable as the Noles were bound to break out and win.

It turned out that the Eagles were the ones to bust out first with two runs in the 6th and three runs in the 7th to take a 7-2 lead. Reliever Billy Strode relieved Compton but was unable to limit the damage as his season long under performing continued. JIm Voyles was able to hold the defect as the Noles entered the 9th inning down 5 runs and staring a disappointing loss in the face to a far inferior team.

Based on major league games over the last 60 years the Seminoles had roughly a less than a one percent chance winning this game.

Florida State 9th - Adams, J to p for Fernandes, L. Nogowski, J.singled to right center (0-1). Brizuela, J. walked (3-2); Nogowski,J. advanced to second. Sansone, J. walked (3-1); Brizuela, J.advanced to second; Nogowski, J. advanced to third. Smit, C.walked, RBI (3-1); Sansone, J. advanced to second; Brizuela, J.advanced to third; Nogowski, J. scored. Nicklas, J to p for Adams,J. West, G. pinch hit for Truluck, H.. West, G. flied out to 2b,SF, RBI (0-1); Brizuela, J. scored. Montgomery,L doubled to right field, RBI (2-2); Smit, C. advanced to third; Sansone, J. scored. Graganella,N pinch ran for Montgomery,L. Delph, J. walked (3-2). Gonzalez, J. hit by pitch, RBI (1-1); Delph, J. advanced to second; Graganella,N advanced to third; Smit, C. scored. Knief, B. walked, RBI (3-0); Gonzalez, J. advanced to second; Delph, J. advanced to third; Graganella,N scored. Green, S to p for Nicklas, J. Nogowski, J. homered to right field, 4 RBI (1-0); Knief, B. scored; Gonzalez,J. scored; Delph, J. scored. Brizuela, J. singled through the right side (0-0). Sansone, J. grounded out to 3b (3-1); Brizuela, J. advanced to second. Smit, C. struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b (3-2). 9 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Florida State doesn't always need to put the ball in play to beat you, they scored 5 runs to tie the game at 7 on only two hits. Part of that is the Noles having a tremendous offense that is constantly pressuring pitchers, the other part is Boston College being Boston College. In case you didn't read through the play by play first baseman John Nogowski came up with bases loaded, one out in a tie ball game a launched a grand slam to right field on a 1-0 pitch giving the Noles a 4 run lead. So 2 runs of offense through the first 24 outs of a ball game and 9 in the last 3, all without two offensive starters, that's baseball.  This offense is special and will continue to be one of the best in the country all season.

As of right now I think the third game of the series is scheduled for 1PM tomorrow where Brandon Leibrandt will presumably take the mound after being scratched today due to being under the weather.  While the inability to watch a game like this sucks following via GameTracker and Twitter with fellow fans is always fun.

See you tomorrow and Go Noles!