Most figured that the No. 8 FSU baseball team would trounce the Bowling Green State Falcons this weekend in Tallahassee. That was put on hold until the eighth inning on Friday night, as Florida State was shutout until then, when they erupted for six runs. That explosiveness continued on Saturday evening, when fans got more of what they expected in a 10-0 'Nole victory that was over early. Below are the plusses and minuses from the W.
3 up
- Unlike Friday's game, the Seminoles got after BGSU early and often in this one. Leadoff batters reached base five times, including in the second inning when Florida State hung a five spot on Bowling Green righty Zac Carey. Falcon pitching didn't miss many FSU bats, as every starter except Steven Wells, Jr. had at least one hit in combining for 13 on the evening. Six different 'Noles drove in runs, with the big shot coming on a Quincy Nieporte three-run homer in the fourth that just stayed fair inside the left-field foul pole.
- On the bump, Drew Carlton equaled a career high with nine strikeouts, as he pitched six innings and scattering five hits and a walk. Tyler Holton kept up the trend in fanning five over just two innings, and Andrew Karp closed it out.
- FSU, which is still waiting for outfielder Jackson Lueck to heal up, continues to get a good look from Donovan Petrey, who got the nod in left on Saturday. Petrey had a couple of knocks, including a double, and is now batting .298 on the year.
3 down
- Officially, FSU did not finish with any errors, but a fourth-inning grounder to Taylor Walls at short bounded right passed him as he charged to make a play. It's an example of the defense that separates good teams from great teams: while it didn't warrant an error (and that's debatable), it's a play you'd like to see made, a play that elite teams make look routine.
- Florida State pitching did walk five batters, and while it's difficult to complain after a shutout win, that's a bit higher than you'd prefer.
- Again, the threats were neutralized, but four of nine BGSU leadoff men reached base. That number could stand to come down some. Better teams will tend to plate leadoff men who get aboard.