Florida State shows massive heart and grit in come from behind walk-off win over Miami in extra innings

Florida State baseball looked like they were going to suffer an embarrassing loss against the rival Miami Hurricanes in game one of their three-game series. The Noles trailed 6-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning.

Wes Mendes had pitched six innings, allowing four earned runs, eight hits, zero walks, and six strikeouts. It looked like the Noles might waste a quality start from their ace, and Cade O’leary allowed two earned runs without recording an out. However, Kevin Mebil and Chris Knier were elite in five innings of relief. They combined to allow one hit, zero walks, and eight strikeouts.

FSU got two solo home runs in the bottom of the eighth to trim the lead to 6-3. Gabe Fraser walked, Ben Barrett singled, and Fraser scored on a sac fly from Carter McCulley to set up the fireworks.

Eli Putnam, who had been benched for the past few games and replaced by Ben Barrett, who hadn’t had an at-bat since 2023, was called to pinch-hit and hit the first pitch he saw out of the ballpark to tie the game in dramatic fashion.

Florida State might have taken Miami's soul with a win like that after overcoming such a large deficit so late.

It felt like it was FSU’s game to win from that point on. They threatened in the bottom of the inning when Brody Dellamielleure led off with a single and Chase Williams came in to pinch run. Williams advanced to second on a wild pitch with no outs. However, Hunter Carns struck out, and then Chase Williams got thrown out at third trying to steal when he left too early, and the pitcher simply threw over to third for the out.

Nathan Cmeyla got a two out hit and got thrown out at second trying to read a ball in the dirt to end the inning. Ben Barrett singled with one out in the bottom of the 12th and advanced to third on an Eli Putnam single. John Stuetzer got hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Miami elected to bring in a true freshman lefty to face Brayden Dowd. He walked Dowd on four pitches for the walk-off win.

FSU players ran out on the field and celebrated, going all the way into the outfield, which some Miami players didn’t like, and words were exchanged. Who says rivalries don’t exist anymore?! What an improbable win for the Noles. If they win the game on Friday, there’s a good chance they can sweep Miami, because a loss like that usually takes the wind out of a team’s sails.

It was a big time win for Florida State and they will look to win the series on Friday night.

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