No. 21 Florida State hosts Boston College

Sunday: Sloppy Seminoles drop series to Boston College

It was a return to last year’s play on Sunday for Florida State as the Seminoles committed four errors and allowed seven unearned runs in their series finale loss to Boston College, 8-2.

Once again FSU started off on the right side of the ledger loading the bases with two walks and a single in the bottom of the first with two outs but only came away with one run on a wild pitch. The ‘Noles would get a runner into scoring position in each of the next two innings but couldn’t push anything across.

Sticking with the subject of “once again”, Carson Montgomery struggled in a start. The junior scuffled with his control again giving up three hits, three walks and three wild pitches in 2.2 innings. That he only gave up two runs, just one earned, is somewhat impressive. Ryan Denison came in with the bases loaded but got out of the inning with a big fly out. Denison would go onto load the bases in the next inning but get out of it with a strike out.

Unfortunately Denison finally got bit in the fifth inning. A single and error put runners at corners. The error was Nander DeSedas’s second of the day. It’s clear DeSedas hasn’t spent much time at third as his foot work leaves something to be desired. A single scored two runs with the runner moving up on the throw and then another scored on a bad Colton Vincent throw on a stolen third base giving the Eagles a 5-1 lead.

Florida State started off the seventh inning with back to back singles but back to back strike outs pretty much ended the threat. This really wasn’t the fault of FSU batters as the home plate ump decided the left handed batter’s box was in the strike zone. Earlier in the day he didn’t call a pitch on the black for FSU and BC scored three runs. After the strike outs Tibbs lined out. This wasn’t the first time FSU put a good charge into the ball only for it to land in the glove of an Eagle.

BC started off the top of the eighth with a single, throwing error by DeSedas at third base and hit batter to load the bases. After Andrews Armstrong seemingly struck out the next batter but the umpire didn’t give it to him he came out of the dug out and got tossed. The incompetence of the umpire was inexcusable but there’s not much you can do except get tossed as a manager. Armstrong would proceed to strike out the batter on a swinging strike, a strike the umpire has to call. BC picked up a run on a sac fly and another on a wild pitch and Armstrong’s day was done. Reliver David Barrett would allow the first batter to single in BC’s final run of the day before ending the threat. Florida State would tack on a run in the bottom of the ninth but once again leave the bases loaded to end the game.

In total, Florida State would strike out 12 times, commit four errors, allow seven unearned runs, and leave 13 men on base. Up next for FSU, a Tuesday matchup with the Florida Gators.

Friday: FSU offense erupts to open series.

Led by the bat of Ben Barrett the Seminoles (12-6, 3-1) crushed the Eagles (12-3, 2-2) 19-8. The freshman Barrett went 5-5 on the day with two home runs, a double and six RBI. While he’s just been ok on the mound Barrett is certainly making it very difficult to keep him out of the lineup. After a few games of less than stellar offensive output head coach Link Jarrett switched things up by moving Nander DeSedas to third base and Titan Kamaka to second and it paid dividends.

FSU started off hot scoring six runs in the first three innings led by James Tibbs double and home run and Barrett’s first home run on the day. However, the Jackson Baumeister roller coaster continued as he gave up a run in the second and four in the third. Connor Whittaker took over and while he wasn’t his sharpest he did manage to pitch four innings giving up just a run.

Meanwhile the Seminole offense erupted for 10 runs in the sixth innings. FSU was able to bat around the order before recording an out. Both Barrett and Kamaka homered in the inning with Barrett’s being of the grand slam variety. On the day the ‘Noles had nine extra base hits on 22 hits, four walks and just five strike outs.

Saturday: Seminoles cannot overcome Boston College’s ace.

The middle matchup of the three game series with Boston College was predicted to be a pitcher’s duel as both Florida State and the Eagles were set to pit their best arms against each other. Unfortunately for FSU, their ace, Wyatt Crowell, was a late scratch and the Seminoles instead started Jamie Arnold against BC’s Chris Flynn. The result was a 4-2 victory for the visiting Eagles.

Arnold started excellent, striking out five over his first two scoreless innings. But as fans have seen this year with Arnold, the consistency and control went away quickly. In the third, Boston College would, in sequence, pickup a walk, a single, an RBI double, a run on a wild pitch and then a sacrifice fly. The end result was a 3-0 lead and that was all that the Eagle’s Flynn needed. The grad-transfer would toss seven innings of two run baseball (one earned). In total he would fan nine Seminoles and eliminate threat after threat. FSU batters were 2-14 with runners on base on the night and struggled in the big moments.

The Florida State bullpen stood out as three relievers combined for five innings of one run baseball. Doug Kirkland threw four innings with five strikeouts.

The Seminoles will look to win the rubber match in tomorrow’s finale.

Preview:

After a tough midweek series against UCF Florida State (11-6, 2-1) looks to break their three game losing streak against visiting Boston College (12-2, 2-1). BC recently beat #2 Tennessee at Knoxville in the mid-week and took two of three in Blacksburg from the then #11 Virginia Tech Hokies.

BC boasts a very good graduate pitcher in Chris Flynn and the matchup on Saturday should be a good one. At the plate they are led by Joe Vetrano and Cameron Leary who both have six home runs. Barry Walsh leads off for the Eagles with a OBP of .444.

Florida State’s offense will look to get back on track as they’ve been held to six runs or less in the last five games. The bullpen will look to bounce back after three straight losses. Both teams look to try and get the games in as rain is expected in town this weekend.