3 up, 3 down: Florida State falls to Florida for third time

Florida State had no problem getting on the scoreboard, getting seven runners to cross the plate. Usually, that’s enough to win a ballgame, however that wasn’t the case on Tuesday when FSU fell to UF 10-7.

Three up:

1. Florida State scored one run against Florida in the previous 40 innings heading into today’s game. In the first inning, Taylor Walls smacked a solo, leadoff home run and Drew Mendoza had a two-out RBI double to make the score 2-0 at the end of the first inning. It was a much needed boost for the ‘Noles and was crucial that FSU got that early lead.
2. After a disappointing performance from the first three pitchers on the night, the final four which consisted of Jim Voyles, Clayton Kwiatkowski, Drew Carlton and Alec Byrd combined for 5 ¹⁄₃ innings of shutout baseball, led by Carlton’s two innings pitched. It was too late for their production to be put to use, however is a good sign going forward with a shaky bullpen situation.
3. FSU hit pretty well as a team, putting up seven runs and hitting 12-37 (.324) overall. It was a good sign to see an offense with a pulse after watching the previous two games against Florida this season.

Three down:

1. Florida State committed three errors. I don’t think I need to say any more.
2. Florida State loaded the bases with zero outs in the bottom of the fourth, down 10-5. The 3-4-5 hitters in the lineup, Aplin, Nieporte and Mendoza, all struck out —— with two of them looking. Once again, no explanation needed.
3. The third time was not the time for Andrew Karp who got pulled after just 1 ²⁄₃ innings after giving up four total runs, three earned, on four hits while walking two and hitting a batter. His replacement Chase Haney did not fare much better, allowing four earned in two innings. Will Zirzow continued the mess, not recording an out while allowing two earned runs.

Florida State is off until the weekend when the team will host Clemson for a Saturday, Sunday, Monday series.