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FSU Baseball Uses Comeback to Win ACC Championship Over UNC

By Jason Parker

Apr 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseball gloves on the dugout railing prior to a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseball gloves on the dugout railing prior to a game between the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU baseball fell behind early, but the bullpen and two big swings helped them cruise past North Carolina to win their second title in three seasons.

A few weeks ago, it seemed like something impossible. On Sunday, the impossible became a reality as FSU baseball used a major comeback to defeat North Carolina in the ACC Championship game to win their seventh all-time tournament crown and their second in the last three seasons following a 4-0 tournament record that might have just brought a regional back to Tallahassee.

Andrew Karp got the start for the Seminoles and quickly fell behind when the Tar Heels put three runs on the board in the second inning. Florida State got on the board one inning later when Dylan Busby drove home the Noles first run on a fielder’s choice. After that, the Seminoles turned to a bullpen that did not disappoint.

Drew Parrish and Alec Byrd combined to throw five innings without giving up a hit, striking out a combined six – including Parrish striking out the side after entering the game with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

In the seventh inning, FSU baseball got another run when Drew Mendoza took one deep to right field that cut the UNC lead to 3-2. It would not be all you would hear from the freshman on the day.

After Florida State tied the game in the eight on a passed ball and took the lead on a Cal Raleigh single that drove home Busby, Mendoza came up with two runners on and put the game away with another shot to right field:

Drew Carlton came in the game in the ninth inning and, after the first two runners got on base, got the final three outs – thanks in part to a double play that ended the game – to secure a tournament championship for a FSU baseball team that finished the regular season 14-14 in conference play:

Jackson Lueck, who came up clutch in the opener against Notre Dame and for the whole tournament, was named MVP of the weekend – joining Busby, Mendoza and Tyler Holton on the All-tournament Team. The title – complete with wins over top five ranked UNC and Louisville, just days after sweeping to games from the Cardinals – all but guarantees the Seminoles will go from traveling for the tournament to at least hosting a regional next weekend in Tallahassee.

FSU baseball will find out if they host Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. while the complete tournament field will be announced Monday at 12 p.m. on ESPN2.

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