FSU baseball shuts out Florida Gators for huge win at Dick Howser

FSU baseball (19-13, 7-8 ACC) got a much-needed 5-0 win over the rival Florida Gators Tuesday night. The Noles came into the game, losing seven of their last nine games.

However, an offensive explosion in the first inning was all they needed to come out on top. A 2-run home run from Alex Toral, followed by a solo home run by Brock Mathis, helped fuel a five-run first inning.

Senior Jonah Scolaro made a scratch start in place of Carson Montgomery and went 3.1 innings with five strikeouts, two walks, and one hit allowed. Freshman Conner Whittaker relieved Scolaro in the fourth inning with runners on first and second with one out.

Whitaker got out of the jam and went 3.2 innings with five strikeouts, one walk, and one hit allowed to get the win.

Wyatt Crowell pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Davis Hare pitched a perfect ninth inning. The Florida offense was held to two hits and struckout 14 times. The FSU offense finished with seven hits, five walks, and six strikeouts. It was a much better effort at the plate than in the past few games. My only complaint was they had the bases loaded in the bottom of the second with one out and failed to score any runs.

Those are opportunities they have to capitalize on against good teams. I wrote Tuesday morning about some simple adjustments I’d make on the mound and at the plate. I’m not saying the guys read what I wrote, but they seemed to take a similar approach to the suggestions.

After all, it was going back to the basics of the game. The win couldn’t have come at a better time. It evened things up with the Gators this season and should provide some momentum as they enter conference play again against a top 10 Louisville team.

A series win over the Cardinals would put them right back in the mix.