On the road against the No. 2 team in the country, Florida State picked up a big win to start a 3-game series on Thursday night and did so by coming from behind. The Seminoles rallied from 2- and 4-run deficits to top Louisville, 12-9.
Jim Voyles worked 1 2/3 scoreless innings to improve to 4-0 on the year for FSU while Drew Carlton pitched three innings to earn the save. With the win, FSU at least temporarily avoided its first losing season in conference since joining the ACC. The Seminoles will have a chance to become the first ACC opponent to take a series over Louisville on Friday night.
The Good: Despite a disappointing season, Florida State has shown grit and resiliency all year. FSU rallied from a 7-3 deficit in the fifth inning to tie the game with four runs in the frame. The Seminoles went ahead for good on an RBI single from Jackson Lueck in the sixth and padded the lead with home runs from Cal Raleigh and Dylan Busby in the ensuing innings. The majority of FSU’s runs came against one of the ACC’s best pitchers in Brendan McKay.
The Bad: Drew Mendoza’s fielding error in the seventh inning ended a streak of 56 straight innings without an error for FSU. That was a welcomed stretch, considering the team’s struggles in that area for much of the season.
The Ugly: The 4-run lead for Louisville was the largest given up by the Cardinals in any loss this season. The 12 FSU runs was also the most allowed for Louisville this season.
Studs of the Game: Quincy Nieporte and Dylan Busby were two men possessed for FSU on Thursday night as each homered. The two combined to go 7-for-9 with seven RBIs and four runs scored. Cal Raleigh also homered, finishing with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Taylor Walls was 2-for-4 with four runs scored for the Seminoles. Josh Strowers and Drew Ellis each hit 3-run homers for Louisville. Colin Lyman was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI.
Duds of the Game: FSU starting pitcher Cole Sands struggled for a second straight start, yielding seven runs, including a pair of bombs in four innings of work. At the plate, Drew Mendoza and Matt Henderson were both 0-for-5. Henderson struck out three times while Mendoza committed FSU’s only error. Louisville reliever Jake Sparger allowed four runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings to take the loss. At the plate for the Cardinals, lead-off man Logan Taylor was 0-for-5.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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