FSU baseball: Offense explodes to sweep James Madison
By Kelvin Hunt
FSU baseball (3-0) saw its offense explode to take a 17-10 win and series sweep over James Madison Sunday afternoon. The game was 17-3 going into the top of the ninth, with James Madison scoring seven in the final frame against reserve FSU pitchers.
The offense wasted no time, scoring three runs in the first two innings. However, James Madison responded with three runs in the top of the third, but the FSU offense responded with multiple runs in each of the next three innings in the blowout affair.
James Tibbs and Jordan Carrion had monster days. Tibbs went 4-4 with a triple and a home run with three RBI. Carrion had a triple and a double with four RBI. Cole Vincent continued his hot hitting with two hits and two RBI, including his second home run in the series. Jaime Ferrer had two hits and an RBI.
Freshman Cam Smith hit his first collegiate home run as did Titan Kamaka. Freshman DeAmez Ross continues his hot start, with two hits and a run scored. Reserve infielder Cade Bush had two hits and Treyton Rank had two RBI.
Tibbs!
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 19, 2023
411' for his first 💣 of the year#Noles | @JamesTibbsIII pic.twitter.com/zEWulJVbjM
Clear the bases Tibbs!
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 19, 2023
His third hit of the day is his first career triple, and he scores on the throwing error!
T6 | JMU 3, FSU 13 pic.twitter.com/urVDdTx7mi
First career HR ✅
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 19, 2023
Cam breaks the tie in the 3rd pic.twitter.com/pt73KumD2o
First career K for Jamie Arnold ends the first!
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 19, 2023
Ross, Smith, Tibbs due up#Noles | @_JamieArnold13 pic.twitter.com/xpwOaOxEdp
How about a HR in your first career at-bat!!
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) February 19, 2023
Titan Kamaka goes yard for our 20th hit of the game.
B8 | JMU 3, FSU 17#Noles | @_titankamaka_ pic.twitter.com/J4sIlj3umq
Freshman Jamie Arnold had a strong first two innings before James Madison got to him in the third. His stat line was 2.2 innings, three hits allowed, three earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. The FSU bullpen held James Madison in check the rest of the way.
Overall Thoughts
The FSU offense pounded 20 hits and hit over .400, with runners in scoring position. They also did a ton of two-out damage while only striking out four times. FSU played a ton of guys, which is great to help build depth.
I would have liked to see Jamie Arnold continue a little longer before James Madison got to him, but he was solid through the first two innings and can build off that. FSU putting the game out of reach early was a great sign and shows some killer instinct.
In years past, FSU seemed content to relax after winning the first two games of a series. Things look very different with this team under Link Jarrett. The Noles will be back in action Tuesday evening as they host Jacksonville at 6 p.m. ET.