Florida State (19-13) wasted their best pitching performance on the season as they dropped the third game of the year to Florida (21-13) by a 3-1 score. With the game tied, two outs and two runners on and their closer still in center field the Gators doubled in the winning runs.

The Seminoles were swept again in the series this year, they have now lost 11 consecutive games to Florida and Mike Martin finished his career with a losing record (76-77) against the Gators.

3 Up

• Conor Grady was absolutely phenomenal for the ‘Noles tonight as he had the best outing by a Seminoles’ pitcher on the season. Florida State is in desperate need of another pitcher in the weekend rotation and Grady made a case to at least be given an opportunity.

• Although shaky at times the bullpen for the Seminoles performed well. The Gators threatened in the 8th inning as they had runners on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. Chase Haney relieved Jonah Scolaro and recorded the final two outs of the innings to keep the game tied at one apiece.
• Given the trajectory of both teams this season it appears that the Seminoles will not have to face Florida again this season. Assuming that the ‘Noles make the postseason they will more than likely be a 2 or 3 seed in a regional, which would make it virtually impossible to extend the losing streak further.

3 Down

• Florida State did not take advantage of scoring opportunities when they had them and that spells trouble for an offense that is struggling. With runners on 1st and 2nd and 0 outs in the 5th inning the Seminoles only managed to plate one run. FSU had 8 hits on the night but they only had multiple hits in one inning, the 3rd which was erased by an inning ending double play off the bat of Drew Mendoza.
• Poor defense continues for the ‘Noles. The first run scored by the Gators occurred when catcher Mat Nelson allowed a passed ball with a runner on third. An error later in the game put the Seminoles in a tough situation but the bullpen battled and managed to record key outs to end the scoring threat. Through the first 12 games of the season FSU committed only 2 errors, in their past 12 games they have committed 17 errors.
• There are no easy answers when an entire team is scuffling like the Seminoles are currently. While talented, there is inexperience up and down the lineup and it is unclear whether this is a slump that comes and goes with baseball or is it that the coaches do not have the ability to connect with the players. Florida State has just over 20 games to figure it out, hopefully they can do enough to make the postseason in Martin’s final season.

Game Thread

Box Score

Florida State hosts a solid Clemson team this weekend starting Friday at 6:00 PM.