FSU baseball: Takeaways from series win over Pitt Panthers

FSU baseball (11-4, 2-1 ACC) dropped a rain-shortened third game against the Pitt Panthers by a score of 8-6 Sunday.

The Noles jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the second inning, but Carson Montgomery struggled with efficiency and allowing the long ball.

The FSU offense responded a couple of times, but the FSU bullpen also struggled with walks and allowing home runs.

The Noles won the series and there were a lot of positives, but FSU easily could have lost the series despite getting solid starting pitching from all three starters, which has been one of the biggest issues lately.

Here are some takeaways:

• All three FSU starting pitchers went at least five innings
• FSU pitchers issued 20 walks in 25 innings pitched
• FSU defense committed four errors
• FSU offense has 29 hits(nine for extra bases), 29 K’s, 10 walks, 24 runners left on base

One would think FSU would have a solid shot to win most games when their starting pitchers go at least five innings. That was the case in all three games, which saved a shallow bullpen from getting taxed too much. The game one combo of Jackson Baumeister and Conner Whittaker was outstanding. The starting pitching of Wyatt Crowell and the bullpen in game two was fine. However, Carson Montgomery and the bullpen in game three left a lot to desire. I believe Carson Montgomery has to move to the bullpen, and Conner Whittaker replaces him in the starting rotation. Montgomery isn’t consistent enough in the strike zone and allows too many walks. Half of the eight runs Pitt scored Sunday were via walk or hit-by-pitch. The bullpen wasn’t much better, not to mention they’re notorious for issuing lead-off or two-out walks. The 20 walks in the 25 innings played are atrocious.

The defense made some solid plays but continues to make too many errors. The Noles have made 22 errors in 15 games, and that won’t get it done with a pitching staff that issues free passes way too often.

The FSU offense left some things to desire in game one, striking out 15 times against a guy that wasn’t overpowering. However, they found a way to get one more run across than Pitt to get the win. They stranded 14 runners on base. The last two games saw the offense perform at a higher level. I think the offense will show up most nights and keep the Noles in games if they get solid starting pitching.

Overall

Pitt is a .500 ball club selected last in the ACC Coastal division in the preseason. I think it’s scary FSU could have lost game one and potentially lost the series, despite getting solid starting pitching.

The margin for error will be very small for this FSU baseball team this season, especially as the competition gets better. It’s not anything Link Jarrett can do because it’s what he inherited for the most part. It’s the little things, allowing a walk with two outs, or throwing a 1-2 pitch right down the middle. FSU’s pitching and defense have to improve drastically if they want to be among the better programs in the nation.