The Florida State Seminoles (42-21) shut out the Arkansas Razorbacks (46-19) winning its first College World Series opening game since 1999 by a 1-0 score. It was a true pitchers duel with the Seminoles scoring the winning run in the top of the ninth inning, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Nander De Sedas, plating Flowers.

Three Up

• Drew Parrish was everything you could ask for and more. He threw eight scoreless innings against a potent and powerful Arkansas lineup that not only hits for average (.300, 2nd in SEC) and reaches base at a high percentage (.398, 2nd in SEC), but balances that with home run power (85, 1st in SEC) and overall slugging (.492, 1st in SEC). Arkansas has five players that have ten home runs or more, but the left-hander was able to strike out nine and only issue two walks. He was the beneficiary of some great defense behind him, but he allowed only four singles on the night until the eighth inning. Parrish performed even better on the mound tonight when the pressure was on. Following a leadoff double and a groundout that placed a runner on third, Parrish came in clutch finishing off a phenomenal pitching performance by striking out back-to-back batters to keep the Hogs scoreless and the junior even hit 93 on his 110th pitch of the night in the process.

• It’s no secret that Florida State’s defense has been a sore spot for the Seminoles this season, but the team has turned it up in the post-season. Florida State’s center J.C. Flowers made an incredible perfectly-timed leaping catch slamming into the wall to keep Arkansas’ Heston Kjerstad from likely doubling in the second inning.

The Seminoles found themselves in a jam in the bottom of the third as the Razorbacks threatened to bring in a run. With runners in scoring position and only one out, the Seminoles infield inched in last minute during Arkansas’ at-bat. The decision to move in paid off and second baseman Nander De Sedas snagged a line drive firing it to third to turn the double play and keep Arkansas off the board:

• If you missed the intro to ESPN’s coverage of tonight’s game make sure you watch it below.

Three Down

• Through eight innings, Florida State was not able to plate a run despite having a runner reach base in the first six innings. The Seminoles were just two for twelve on the night with runners on base and struck out a gaudy eleven times while walking only twice and managing just base five hits — all singles. The Arkansas pitching was as good as advertised, but for Florida State to advance they need to produce better.
• The home plate umpire was absolutely atrocious. His strike zone for the Arkansas pitcher was clearly larger than the one he was giving Drew Parrish. Mike Salvatore swung through a two-strike pitch that sailed to the backstop and the umpire yelled “YEP” for some inexplicable reason which caused Salvatore to hesitate and not take first base. The umpire also stopped Drew Parrish mid pitch to grant the batter timeout. It was embarrassing that this is the best the NCAA has to offer in a College World Series.

Game Thread

Box Score

Postgame Press Conference:

The Seminoles will play Michigan in their second game of the series this Monday at 7 PM in the winners bracket. If they defeat the Wolverines, Florida State will be in the driver’s seat, and only one win away from the championship series.