FSU Baseball Recap: Noles Sweep Pacific in Four Game Series

It wasn’t the dominating performance I expected, but FSU baseball took care of business this weekend by sweeping Pacific in a four game series.

When Pacific came to town for a four game series this weekend, I expected FSU baseball to win all four games comfortably. Pacific entered the series with an overall record of 15-26, a 1-17 record on the road, and an RPI that was good for 240th in the country.

Naturally, with Pacific traveling across the country and an away record like that, I was expecting a lot of runs out of the Noles without much threat from their opponents. However, that wasn’t the case. Pacific was in all four games with the exception of the first of Saturday’s double header. The important thing is FSU baseball still got the sweep, bringing their record to 31-18 and avoiding an RPI killer.

Friday

Early on Friday it looked like the Noles were going to do as I predicted, dispose of their opponents with ease. FSU jumped on Pacific with a six run first inning to open the series, highlighted by a three run Tyler Holton homer in his first start as a position player in 2017.

Pacific answered in the top of the 2nd to make it a 6-1 game, FSU quickly got that run back and added another with a two run 2nd inning to make the lead 8-1. FSU wouldn’t score again until the 8th inning, allowing Pacific to work their way back into the game. The Tigers cut the lead to 8-3 in the fourth, and then a five run seventh tied the game at 8-8, making Seminole fans nervous. Luckily for FSU, Dylan Busby continued to swing a hot bat and blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the 8th to take a 9-8 lead. Drew Carlton handled the 9th inning and was rewarded with the win.

Cole Sands finished with a line of 6 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K’s. Both teams played well defensively as their were no errors committed.

Offensive leaders for FSU were Dylan Busby who was 2-3 with a homer, three runs, and an RBI. And Tyler Holton who was 2-4 with a homer, a run scored and three RBI.

Full box score for Friday’s game can be found here.

Saturday (Game One)

Saturday’s first game was the offensive onslaught and dominating performance I expected for the weekend. The Noles pounded 17 hits and scored 18 runs on their way to an 18-5 victory. The Noles scored in every inning except the first and the fifth, most of the damage was done in an eight run sixth inning.

After his excellent performance at the plate on Friday, Tyler Holton took the hill on Saturday as FSU’s starting pitcher. Holton continued his great weekend with a line of 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. The win brought Holton’s record to 6-2.

As you can imagine, many Noles had big games at the plate but FSU’s top performers were Cal Raleigh and Matt Henderson. Raleigh was 3-3 with three runs and two RBI. Henderson was 2-3 with two runs and three RBI.

The full box score can be found here.

Must Read: Is 2018 Going to be Mike Martin Sr.'s Final Season?

Saturday (Game Two)

FSU won game two of the double header 5-3 behind a strong performance from starting pitcher, Andrew Karp. Karp pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and one run while striking out eight and allowing no walks. Karp earned the victory which was some how his first of the season.

FSU got on the board early again with two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Pacific would cut the lead to 2-1 in the sixth. FSU got what turned out to be an important three runs in the bottom of the 8th to stretch the lead to 5-1. A two run homer for Pacific in the 9th made it 5-3 but the Noles held on for the victory.

Mike Martin was pleased with the performance, from Seminoles.com:

"“Our guys really showed a lot of resolve, a lot of competitiveness,” head coach Mike Martin said of the doubleheader. “The first game was one that we did a lot of things right. You go into the nightcap knowing it’s going to be close. That Pacific team is competitive. Their record does not speak to how good they are. We had to really play well to get both games.”"

Full box score for the game can be found here.

Sunday

Drew Parrish took the hill for FSU baseball in the series finale. Parrish didn’t allow a base runner through 4.2 innings and didn’t allow a hit through 5.1. Parrish finished with a line of 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. The win brought Parrish’s record to 5-2.

Pacific took a 2-0 lead in the top of the 6th inning. Jackson Lueck’s single brought in Dylan Busby in the bottom of the 6th to cut the lead to 2-1. It was the four run seventh inning that would prove crucial for the Noles. Pacific got a run back in the 8th on a homer and threatened in the 9th, but Alec Byrd came in and shut the door for his first save and a Noles victory.

Jackson Lueck, Drew Mendoza, JC, Flowers, and Matt Henderson each had two hits on the day. Flowers added two RBI to go with his 2-4 performance.

Once again Mike Martin seemed pleased, telling Seminoles.com:

"“This was a win that easily could have gone the other way,” head coach Mike Martin, “and our guys did not let it. We don’t make an error and score five runs, you expect to win. Winning the way we did was a true credit to our baseball team.”"

Full box score for the final game can be found here.

FSU baseball will play their final midweek game of the season on Tuesday when they host Jacksonville, be sure to check in for our game preview.