3 Up 3 Down: No 16 Seminoles tame Tigers in 13 innings, as Mike Martin makes history

Drew Parrish started out wonderfully, facing the minimum number of Tiger hitters through 6 with the help of a couple double plays, but the 7th frame was costly for FSU, as Clemson cut into the lead, before leveling the game 1 inning later. However, the Seminoles would not quit, regaining the lead in the 13th on a massive Steven Wells home run to win the opening game against the Tigers.

Three Up

• As mentioned above, Parrish was masterful through 6 shutout innings, striking out 8 while walking 0. The sophomore southpaw was FSU’s Sunday starter to start the season, but he looked as if he belonged on Friday all year as he mixed and matched his breaking balls to keep Clemson off balance.

Although he gave up the lead, CJ Van Eyk pitched just as well, if not better. The freshman threw 6.1 innings (as many as Parrish), striking out 7, while walking 2 with just the 1 run allowed.

• Reese Albert had quite a game. Entering the contest hitting .232, the freshman outfielder raised his average to .257 by starting 4-4 with 3 singles and a HR. Albert’s HR couldn’t have come at a better time, as FSU was clinging to a 1-run lead. Clemson would add a run in the bottom of that inning making that HR all the more important. Albert finished 4-6 on the night and proved to be a valuable component at the bottom of the lineup for Florida State
• Steven Wells had a bit of an up and down night. The senior had 2 outfield assists throwing out a runner at 1st and one at home for 2 of FSU’s 3 double plays on the night, but he started 0-6 as the lead off hitter. However, in the top of the 13th inning with 2 outs, Wells took a 1-2 pitch and deposited it well beyond the left field fence, giving FSU the lead for good and Mike Martin the all-time record for wins.

Three Down

• Unfortunately, Parrish fell apart in the 7th inning. After striking out Seth Beer, the lefty walked 3 straight hitters. Jonah Scalaro came in and gave up a sacrifice fly to cut into Florida State’s lead before issuing another walk to load the bases again. Thankfully, Van Eyk extinguished the threat, but a double and single to start the 8th tied the game up for the Tigers. FSU has seemingly gotten good starting pitching at least twice every weekend recently, but the bullpen continues to be a weak point. Van Eyk pitched well, but he should be in the permanent rotation for a team with 2 injured starters.
• FSU had 15 hits on the night but only 3 extra base hits. Not surprising the only runs FSU scored were on extra base hits. Singles are great in that they keep the pressure on a pitcher, but if you’re unable to string them together or pair them with walks (Florida State only had 4 on the game), they’re largely meaningless. As mentioned above, the Seminoles did have 15 hits, but they also left 15 runners on base.
• Leading 3-2 in the bottom of the 13th, Florida State gave up a lead off runner on a walk and then compounded the problem with an error on what should’ve been a routine play. Nick Derr rushed his throw, and it got past Rhett Aplin at 1B. Luckily, the ’Noles were able to recover by throwing out the base runner at 3rd and getting 2 quick outs from Clemson, but it could have been a disaster. Errors (and walks) are always bad, but timing certainly matters and they almost cost FSU the win.

Florida State looks to win the series against Clemson on Sunday at 4:00 PM.

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