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Florida State baseball took the opening season series from VCU, despite dropping the opening game. The ‘Noles defeated the Rams in the rubber match Sunday afternoon by a final score of 11-3.
Three up:
1. Starting pitcher Tyler Holton put together a very nice start for FSU, setting up the ‘Noles in great position for the victory. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs (one earned) and struck out eight. Holton had some issues with his command in the third inning, hitting two different batters and then throwing a wild pitch that led to a run. He would go on to strike out three consecutive batters to end that inning and in his other five innings, Holton only allowed a combined one walk and two hits.
2. After opening the series going 0-9 with two outs, 0-10 with runners on and 0-7 with runners in scoring position, the ‘Noles looked like a completely different team by game three. On Sunday FSU scored six of its runs with two outs, going 6-14 with two outs, 9-21 with runners on base and 6-15 with RISP.
3. The plate discipline by Florida State was one of the key reasons for getting runners on base, and in great position to score. Along with the 13 hits, six different Seminoles combined for seven walks. Additionally, the top seven hitters in the lineup combined for 11 hits and 10 runs scored.
BONUS
4. FSU baseball head coach Mike Martin recorded his 1900th managerial victory on Sunday. He becomes only the second college baseball coach to reach the 1900 wins plateau and did so in seven less seasons than when ex-Texas head coach Augie Garrido accomplished the feat.
Three down:
1. Fielding was once again an issue for the Seminoles. After committing four errors in Saturday’s victory, Dylan Busby and Tyler Holton each made an error, resulting in one unearned run, which could have been a lot more had Holton not gotten out of a bases loaded jam only allowing that one run.
2. This really isn’t a significant “down,” however Florida State left 10 total runners on base, and could have capitalized much more. The team had at least one runner left on base in every inning except the first and sixth, and left multiple runners on in three separate innings. The reason I don’t say it was significant is in part of the 11 runs scored. Had Florida State only been able to muster two or three despite getting so many runners on base, it would have been a completely different story.
3. Third baseman Dylan Busby is off to a very cold start to begin the 2017 season. The senior is now 2-19 for the season following a 1-5 Sunday. He does not have any walks on the season either. Busby has proved that he can hit, leading the ‘Noles in 2016 with 14 home runs while hitting .323.
Florida State looks to extend its winning streak to three games when it hosts South Florida for a one-game series on Tuesday night.