Fans at Dick Howser Stadium waited nearly seven and a half hours for a pitch to be thrown on Sunday in the second game of the Tallahassee Super Regional. Once it was, it pure domination as Florida State handled Sam Houston State from the first batter to the last out to advance to the College World Series for the first time since 2012.
Taylor Walls led the contest off with a home run and the Seminoles never looked back in a 19-0 victory. FSU didn’t lead in Saturday’s 7-6 victory until Jackson Lueck’s walk-off hit in the ninth. The Seminoles will face either Mississippi State or LSU in the opening round of the College World Series in Omaha next weekend.
The Good: Florida State scored runs in each of the first six innings and finished with its most in the NCAA Tournament since scoring 23 against Texas A&M during the 2011 Super Regional. After hitting 13 singles on Saturday, the Seminoles had eight of their 13 hits go for extra bases on Sunday. FSU also got five shutout innings from starting pitcher Drew Parrish.
The Bad: As great as a night as it was for Florida State, the fans had to wait more than seven hours for it to start. Originally scheduled to start just after noon EST, the first pitch didn’t take place until about 7:30 p.m. EST.
The Ugly: Not much went right for Sam Houston State. The Bearkats were not embarrassed with their season on the line, but they committed three errors, issued 12 walks and hit seven batters. Coming into the game, Sam Houston State had not allowed more than 12 runs in a game all season. FSU had 15 after four innings.
Studs of the Game: For FSU, take your pick. Every starter for the Seminoles either scored or drove in a run. Taylor Walls reached base in each of his seven plate appearances, finishing 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs, five runs scored and four RBIs. Quincy Nieporte also hit a 3-run homer, finishing the night with four RBIs and a pair of runs. Dylan Busby, Matt Henderson and Cal Raleigh each drove in two runs. Busby also scored two runs while Jackson Lueck scored three and drove in a run. Kyle Cavanaugh homered for the Seminoles in his only at-bat. On the mound, Drew Parrish allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out nine in five shutout innings.
Duds of the Game: Sam Houston State ace and Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year, Heath Donica, had a day to forget. Donica allowed a season-high eight runs on six hits while walking three in just two innings of work. Those who followed him did not fare much better. At the plate, Hunter Hearn was 0-for-4.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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