Florida State (18-8) got the pitching it needed and just enough offense to edge Boston College (13-13) 4-3 on a Mike Salvatore walk-off, RBI single with one out in the ninth.

3 Up

• SP CJ Van Eyk has struggled this year, just like every other FSU starter, but he showed something against Boston College. The sophomore threw 6 strong innings giving up just one unearned run and no walks. Van Eyk consistently started batters off with strikes. He may have gotten a little too much of the plate, though, as scattered seven hits (all singles).
• C Matheu Nelson had a good game. Despite allowing a “wild pitch” (Nelson needs to work on moving his body better instead of reaching), the freshman threw out two base-runners, led off the seventh with a double and laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to set up the winning run.
• Van Eyk and LHP Jonah Scolaro not only pitched well, they also fielded their position very well. Van Eyk induced a run-down between third and home on a come backer with one out in the sixth. Scolaro fielded a bunt, pirouetted and threw a strike to third base to cut down the lead runner on a no-out sacrifice bunt attempt in the seventh. Van Eyk successfully fielded a bunt and Scolaro two, although one would’ve been an error had the Boston College batter not completely missed first base.

3 Down

• Getting runners on base is always a good thing, and the more you get on the more you’ll leave on. However, when you only score four runs, you can’t leave runners on. FSU left seven runners on base, and the number is not so damning as the missed opportunities the ‘Noles had. In the fifth inning, Florida State had the bases loaded with one out, but an Elijah Cabell strikeout, and a Robby Martin ground out ended the threat. In the seventh, Nelson led off with a double and moved to third on a Mike Salvatore fly out. Unfortunately, that’s as far as he got, as Nico Baldor struck out, and Cabell grounded out. On the day, Florida State only mustered four hits, largely against a woeful Boston College bullpen.
• Only one of BC’s three runs was earned and even then an error played a role in the inning. In the sixth, a Cooper Swanson error turned a potential inning-ending double play into runners on second and third with one out. Swanson was immediately pulled for Baldor. In the seventh, Drew Mendoza made the right decision not to try for a double play, but his hesitation caused him to throw the ball away. A run scored on the error and another crossed when the next batter singled. Florida State started the season with the best fielding percentage in the nation, but now ranks 107th with a .970 fielding percentage.
• Boston College doesn’t have very good pitching, but their pen is even worse than the starters. FSU did a good job chasing Joe Mancini early, but only recorded four hits on the evening. They worked pitchers well, drawing eight walks and only striking out five times, but four hits is unacceptable against this staff.

Box Score

Florida State takes on Boston College in the rubber match on Sunday. The game has been moved from 1:00 PM to noon to potentially avoid poor weather.