Florida State’s 5-game losing streak to rival Florida is over, thanks to the best career outing of FSU sophomore starting pitcher Drew Carlton. Carlton tossed a 2-hitter on Saturday night as the Seminoles got the better of No. 1 national seed Florida to start the best-of-three Gainesville Super Regional, 3-0.
Florida State will now have two chances to win one game to advance to the College World Series for the first time since 2012 and win a road Super Regional for the first time ever. The teams will meet again at 6 p.m. EST on Sunday night.
The Good: FSU starter Drew Carlton wasn’t just good, he was outstanding. Carlton allowed just two hits and no walks in his nine innings while striking out five. The defense behind Carlton was also exceptional as the Seminoles didn’t commit an error. Centerfielder Ben DeLuzio made the best play of the night with an outstanding catch to end the seventh.
The Bad: Although Florida State was able to get the win, the Seminoles were again dreadful with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-9. FSU came away scoreless in the second inning after having the first two men reach and was only able to bring one run home in the fourth after loading the bases with one out. Jackon Lueck scored on an RBI walk by Tyler Holton before DeLuzio grounded into a double play to end the threat.
The Ugly: Florida managed just two base-runners all night on Saturday and neither advanced past first base. The final 19 Gator hitters were retired by Carlton.
Studs of the Game: Drew Carlton obviously stole the show on Saturday night with his first career shutout while facing just one over the minimum. Second baseman Matt Henderson was 2-for-4 at the plate for the Seminoles with a run scored.
Duds of the Game: Florida’s top five hitters — Dalton Guthrie, Jonathan India, Peter Alonso, J.J. Schwarz and Mike Rivera — were a combined 0-for-19. DeLuzio was 0-for-4 for Florida State with two strikeouts.
wlpearce.com/FSU athletics
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