FSU Blasts Mercer to Stay Unbeaten, 12-1

The middle innings is where Florida State did its damage on Saturday as it remained undefeated and clinched the series with a 12-1 win over Mercer at Dick Howser Stadium.

In a game prolonged by multiple delays, FSU broke through with a 5-run third inning, two more in the fourth and four in the fifth. The Seminoles (9-0) capped their scoring with an RBI single from pitcher Chase Haney in the eighth that chased home Robby Martin for the 12th run.

Cooper Swanson homered for the second day in a row with a mammoth blast while Drew Mendoza delivered his team-leading third home run of the season. Those two finished with three and four RBIs, respectively, and each had two hits. Martin stayed hot, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored. J.C. Flowers also had a nice day in the victory with three runs scored and an RBI double.

Mercer (8-3) actually drew first blood in the contest with an RBI single from Zach Miller in the second inning. Trevor Austin had three of Mercer’s seven hits.

The early rain delay seemed to have an adverse effect on Bears’ starting pitcher Tanner Hall, who ran into trouble in third and ultimately took the loss. Taylor Lobus had a day to forget for Mercer as he allowed four runs on just one hit while recording just one out in the fifth inning.

C.J. Van Eyk earned the win for the Seminoles by allowing just a run on five hits in five innings of work while striking out eight.

The Seminoles will go for the series sweep on Sunday. Shane Drohan will make his first career start.

Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson