A 4-run deficit early was not enough to keep Florida State from moving to within one win of the College World Series. The Seminoles accomplished that at Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday with a 7-6 win over Sam Houston State in the first game of the best-of-three Tallahassee Super Regional.
The victory was a total team effort, but it was Jackson Lueck who got to play the role of hero. Lueck’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth brought home Taylor Walls to end the contest. FSU trailed by four runs twice and by three runs on three separate occasions, but continued to battle. The teams will meet again on Sunday.
The Good: The fight that Florida State has shown all season reared its head on Saturday as the Seminoles kept grinding despite playing from behind for almost all of the day. The Seminoles scored runs in the second, third and fifth innings before scoring three runs with two outs in the seventh to tie the game. Lueck’s walk-off in the ninth ended it.
The Bad: Florida State starting pitcher Tyler Holton was not his usual self on Saturday as the lefty All-American yielded six runs, two earned, in 6 2/3 innings. Holton uncharacteristically walked four batter and hit another. Though four of his six runs allowed were unearned, he was responsible for two errors that allowed them to score.
The Ugly: Despite the victory, Florida State gave away outs, runs and bases for the early parts of the game. The Seminoles made mental errors in the field and on the bases. The late rally however, was enough to wash those away. Quincy Nieporte also hit into a triple play.
Studs of the Game: Jackson Lueck had a stellar game, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs, including the game-winner and a run. Taylor Walls was 2-for-3 with three runs, including the game-winner for FSU. Catcher Cal Raleigh had a pair of hits, a run and an RBI for the Seminoles. For Sam Houston State, Hunter Hearn was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Jaxxon Grisham plated a pair of runs for the Bearkats and scored one more. Riley McKnight scored three of the six Sam Houston State runs.
Duds of the Game: Holton uncharacteristically ends up here for the two errors, but being able to settle in late was promising. At the dish for FSU, Drew Mendoza was 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Robie Rojas was hitless in five at-bats for the Bearkats.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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