The Daily Nole

5-Year Nole Anniversary: Stewart Reaches Base in FSU Record 58 Straight Games

Mike Olivella/FSU athletics

Florida State baseball opens a 3-game series at Virginia on Thursday. On this day five years ago, FSU opened a 3-game set with Wake Forest and in the process, history was made.

Sophomore outfielder D.J. Stewart entered the April 18, 2014 contest in Winston-Salem having tied the FSU record by reaching base in 57 consecutive games. Stewart had achieved the record-tying feat set by Shane Robinson three nights prior by drawing a walk in a 6-1 victory over Jacksonville.

As the eighth inning came to a close against Wake Forest however, surpassing Robinson looked very much in doubt for Stewart. FSU led the contest 3-1, but to that point, Stewart was 0-for-3 and not guaranteed to get another at-bat.

The FSU lineup fortunately would get Stewart his shot. On an 0-2 pitch with two outs in the top of the ninth, Stewart would not only break the record, but would plate two runs with a single up the middle. Stewart would come around to score later in the frame on a 2-run single by first baseman John Nogowski in an eventual 7-1 victory for the Seminoles.

Although he had just one hit, Stewart finished with three RBIs in the victory. Third baseman Jose Brizuela had three hits in the win. On the mound, Luke Weaver was stellar, yielding just a run on three hits in a complete-game victory. Second baseman Nate Mondou homered to provide all the offense for the Demon Deacons.

Stewart’s streak would ultimately reach 65 games before coming to an end in a 3-2 win over Minnesota. Unfortunately, the celebration of the record was short-lived as research revealed that Buster Posey had actually reached safely in 67 straight games in 2008. Still, Stewart’s accomplishment got more publicity and it was celebrated on this day five years ago.

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

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