Florida State’s improbable run to Omaha came to an end on Wednesday as the Seminoles fell to LSU in a College World Series elimination game, 7-4.
Though the result was not as many hoped as FSU made a 22nd appearance in the College World Series without bringing home a title, it was another successful campaign. Though most of the season was rough for FSU, it was able to extend its streak of at least 40 wins to 40 straight years and now owns the nation’s longest postseason streak. The Seminoles were also able to win their seventh ACC championship and reach the College World Series for the first time in five years.
Between the gems on the mound from Tyler Holton and the grand slams from Quincy Nieporte, 2017 had its moments that stuck out above the others. With the year now in the rear view, we look back on the top five moments for FSU in 2017:
5. 1,900
Feb. 19 — Florida State 11, Virginia Commonwealth 3
The first Sunday of the season saw FSU’s Mike Martin become immortalized as just the second coach to win 1,900 games. Martin accomplished that feat in the rubber game of the season-opening 3-game series against Virginia Commonwealth. Quincy Niepote homered while Taylor Walls drove in three runs and Tyler Holton picked up his first win of the season on the mound in the victory.
4. Lueck’s Super Regional Walk-Off
June 10 — Florida State 7, Sam Houston State 6
Jackson Lueck had a flare for the dramatic late in the season in 2017 and never was there a moment bigger than in the first game of the Tallahassee Super Regional as the Seminoles rallied from four runs down to beat Sam Houston State. With two on base and none out in the bottom of the ninth, Lueck laced a single to right field that scored Taylor Walls to put FSU within one win of the College World Series. FSU accomplished that feat the next night with the largest margin of victory in Super Regional history, beating the Bearkats, 19-0.
3. Wells Guns Down Irish
May 25 — Florida State 5, Notre Dame 3 (12 innings)
Florida State managed to win the ACC Tournament for a seventh time in 2017 and a second in three years, but that might not have happened without a stellar defensive play in extra innings to open the ACC Tournament against Notre Dame. With the contest deadlocked at 3-3 in the top of the 11th with only one out and runners on the corners, a fly ball was lifted to right field, seemingly deep enough to get the run home, but FSU’s Steven Wells, Jr. wasn’t having it. Wells rifled a 1-hop throw to the plate to nail Notre Dame’s Jake Shepski. An inning and a half later, Jackson Lueck ended the contest with a walk-off 2-run homer.
2. Zirzow’s Performance for the Ages
June 5 — Florida State 6, Auburn 0
The Tallahassee Regional came down to one game to decide who advanced as FSU took on Auburn. With the Seminoles playing a fifth game in four days, FSU turned to junior right-hander Will Zirzow, who had thrown just four innings in the previous 64 days. On that Monday night at Dick Howser Stadium, Zirzow was nearly unhittable, facing just two over the minimum and striking out 11 in a 2-hit, complete game shutout. With the win, FSU advanced to its 16th Super Regional in 19 years.
1. Busby’s Season-Saving Triple
June 4 — Florida State 8, Auburn 7 (10 innings)
For FSU to get to the decisive game where Zirzow delivered the performance of a lifetime, the Seminoles had to beat Auburn the night prior. For most of the contest, FSU seemed in control. The Seminoles took a 6-4 lead to the final frame, but in the top half of the ninth, Auburn pushed across three runs to take a 7-6 advantage. After the first two FSU hitters were retired in the bottom of the inning, Taylor Walls was able to work a walk, which brought third baseman Dylan Busby to the plate. With the count 3-2 and FSU down to its last strike, Busby blasted an RBI triple off the center field wall to even the game. The Seminoles would win it an inning later as J.C. Flowers was hit with the bases loaded.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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