After losing by 22 runs in the first game of a doubleheader at Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday, Youngstown State made things tough on Florida State in the nightcap, but the Seminoles prevailed to complete the series sweep, 7-4.
For the third straight game, Youngstown State got to the FSU starter with runs in the first inning. The Penguins (0-6) put up a 3-spot in the top of the first, thanks to a 2-run home run from Jeff Wehler and a Florida State (7-0) error later in the inning.
The Seminoles were able to put up a run in the bottom half of the first on Robby Martin’s RBI single. Matheu Nelson made it a 3-2 game with a solo home run for FSU an inning later.
Youngstown State managed to double its lead on a sacrifice fly from Drew Dickerson in the top of the fifth before the Seminoles manufactured two runs in the bottom half to even things at four. FSU drew even with an RBI groundout by Nico Baldour and a successful squeeze bunt from Matheu.
The Seminoles went ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth as Martin narrowly missed a grand slam, but settled for an RBI sacrifice fly on a long fly ball to center field. J.C. Flowers added some much-needed insurance in the bottom of the eighth with a 2-run, bases-loaded single.
Austin Pollock struggled for a second straight start for FSU with three runs allowed in only an inning of work. Jonah Scolaro came in and worked three scoreless innings, but it was Shane Drohan who got the win after allowing a run in 2.1 innings of relief. Greg Dunham allowed three runs in 2.1 innings of relief to take the loss for the Penguins.
Blaze Glenn, who was a thorn in FSU’s side throughout the series, scored two of the four Youngstown State runs. The Penguins managed just three hits in the loss and none over the final eight innings.
Martin had three of the seven hits for the Seminoles, finishing with two runs and two RBIs. Flowers and Nelson each drove in two runs in the win.
After a pair of cancellations ruined a scheduled trip to Jacksonville last week, FSU will play its first road game of the season on Tuesday at South Florida.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
Ross Obley/FSU athletics
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