Inside the box score: FSU baseball puts up another double-digit performance

1. On Friday, FSU couldn’t keep the Bearcats’ leadoff hitters off the bases. Last night, the Seminoles flipped the script on Cincy. Florida State’s leadoff hitters reached in six of eight innings at the plate. Tyler Martin twice led off innings with a single. Robby Martin skied a ball off the right field fence for a triple that led to a run. Matheu Nelson also led off an inning with a walk twice. Four of FSU’s 10 runs came from leadoff hitters that got aboard. When you get the leadoff runner on base, the chances of scoring that inning sky rocket. Putting the leadoff runner on also puts pressure and more tension on a pitcher’s arm.

2. For the second straight day, FSU’s offense did a good job with situational hitting, driving in runners four out of five times with a runner on third and less than two outs. Nelson produced a sac fly, Carter Smith and Nander De Sedas both came up with RBI singles, and Elijah Cabell provided the big blast with a three-run homer. Most importantly, FSU is starting to put the ball at a high rate in this situation. The ‘Noles had just one strikeout with a runner on third and less than two outs on Saturday. If they just put the bat to the ball, good results will follow.

3. FSU’s pitchers have shown the consistent ability to work out of trouble so far this year. Yesterday, Florida State posted just one 1-2-3 inning on the hill (some innings were extended due to the defense) but were able to keep the Bearcats in check despite defensive struggles. If FSU can pitch with runners on, it will be hard for teams to put up crooked numbers on the board. Pitchers have bad innings, but the best pitchers limit the damage and give their team a chance. So far this season, FSU’s pitching staff has allowed more than two runs in just one inning. If this pitching staff can continue to pitch through the high-leverage situations, this team will be in a good position late in the season.

For highlights from yesterday’s game and Mike Martin Jr.’s postgame interview, check below. For more on yesterday’s series-clinching victory, click here.