A nearly 2-hour weather delay seemed to water down both Florida State’s bats and its pitching. After six runs in the third and four in the fourth, the Seminoles looked well in control in Blacksburg on Saturday, but 11 straight Virginia Tech runs fueled an improbable comeback as FSU fell to the Hokies, 13-12.
Trailing 13-10, FSU was able to push across two runs in the ninth and get the tying run to third, but Virginia Tech was able to get FSU’s J.C. Flowers to end the game. With the loss, FSU falls to 14-6 on the year and 3-2 in ACC play. The two teams will play the rubber match on Sunday.
The Good: For a second straight day, the FSU offense produced. The Seminoles, fueled by a school-record fourth grand slam of the season by Quincy Nieporte, have scored at least four runs in an inning four times this series. Prior to that, the Seminoles had been held scoreless in 21 of their previous 22 innings at the plate.
The Bad: After a stellar start to the season, FSU starting pitcher Tyler Holton actually looked human. Holton was tagged for six runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings and was pulled after the weather delay. Holton recorded three strikeouts in the no-decision.
The Ugly: Florida State let a 10-2 lead slip away on Saturday as Virginia Tech scored 11 unanswered runs from the fourth through eighth innings. Reliever Will Zirzow was tagged with four runs (two earned) in 2/3 of an inning to take his first loss of the season.
Studs of the Game: Thanks mostly to the grand slam, Nieporte finished with six RBIs on Saturday. Rhett Aplin and Dylan Busby each also homered for the Seminoles and combined for five hits and five RBIs. Tom Stoffel and Mac Capers each left the yard for Virginia Tech. The two combined for six RBIs and four runs scored. Out of the Hokie bullpen, Connor Coward worked four shutout innings to earn the win.
Duds of the Game: Holton’s six earned runs left something to be desired, but Will Zirzow probably had the toughest day for FSU. Even closer Drew Carlton was tagged for a pair of runs in an inning of work. Virginia Tech starter Andrew McDonald allowed nine runs in 3 1/3 innings. At the plate, FSU lead-off hitter Taylor Walls was 0-for-4. Virginia Tech third baseman Garrett Hudson was 0-for-5.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
You must be logged in to post a comment Login