FSU Rally Falls Short vs. Irish, 8-7

The losing streak has hit four. Florida State made a furious rally on Friday night, but couldn’t come back in an 8-7 loss to Notre Dame at Dick Howser Stadium.

The loss dropped the Seminoles to 1-3 in ACC play and 14-4 on the year. It was the first blemish for FSU at home this season.

The Good: The ball was flying out of the park on Friday night as each team hit three home runs. The Seminoles have now hit seven home runs in the last two games after hitting seven total in the first 16 games. Drew Mendoza, Steven Wells, Jr. and Nick Derr all left the yard in the loss. Jake Johnson, Nick Podkul and Matt Vierling homered for the Fighting Irish.

The Bad: After a hot start on the mound, Florida State has now given up at least eight runs in three straight games and at least seven in four of its last five. Cole Sands took his first loss, giving up eight runs in 6 2/3 innings. FSU pitching only struck out three hitters.

The Ugly: The top four hitters in FSU’s orders — Mike Salvatore, Jackson Lueck, Rhett Aplin and Cal Raleigh — were all hitless. Salvatore and Raleigh each drew one hit.

Studs of the Game: The six players who homered earn a mention. Wells drove in three runs while Mendoza and Derr each had two hits and two runs. Derr drove in two. Johnson drove in three runs for Notre Dame while Vierling plated four.

Duds of the Game: Sands and the top four hitters in the order earn the dubious distinction for FSU. Alex Kerschner and David LaManna were each 0-for-3 for Notre Dame.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson