FSU baseball: Takeaways from ‘Noles series win over Niagara
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU baseball overcame a choke job in game one to overtake Niagara in the final two games for the series win. A few takeaways from the three game series.
FSU baseball (2-1, 0-0 ACC) didn’t get off to the best start in the Mike Martin Jr. era. The ‘Noles bats were silent in game one with just three hits in the game and 14 strikeouts.
A common issue from past years arose with the Noles stranding eight runners on base in the game.
The pitching was solid until the final frame, blowing a 1-0 lead by giving up three runs in the top of the ninth to lose 3-1.
It all began with a leadoff walk with ‘Noles pitching surrendering five walks on the day and four hits.
Maybe it was first-game jitters or wanting to get the Mike Martin Jr. era off to a good start. The team responded better Saturday and Sunday, scoring a total of 25 runs over the final two games.
FSU batters had 25 hits and 21 walks in those two games but stranded 22 runners on base.
The FSU defense picked up where it left off the past few years, yielding six fielding errors in three games. These are two problem areas I highlighted that needed to improve moving forward.
FSU pitching was solid all weekend, surrendering 13 hits, 10 walks and seven earned runs.
Final Thoughts
Nander De Sedas continues to be a liability at shortstop with three errors in three games. It’s not like he makes up for his defensive struggles at the plate either.
The Noles are leaving too many runners on the base paths which will come back haunt them against better competition.
The first game against Niagara is a prime example as the probability of winning a college baseball game 1-0 is relatively low.
Next. 3 Things FSU Baseball Needs To Improve in 2020. dark
It wasn’t ideal to drop the opening game against Niagara, but responding the way they did in the final two games was a positive sign. The Noles will return to action Tuesday as they host South Florida with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. ET.