FSU baseball (25-6, 8-4 ACC) lost its first series this year, as Wake Forest overcame an early 2-0 deficit to spank the Noles 17-2 after blowing FSU out 12-0 on Saturday.
FSU had ample opportunities to expand its lead early in the game but failed to capitalize in key situations. James Hankerson struck out with runners on second and third in the bottom of the first. Max Williams and Myles Bailey failed to capitalize with runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the second. James Hankerson struck out with a runner on third with fewer than two outs in the bottom of the third.
FSU had the Wake Forest pitcher on the ropes, and he should have never made it past the third inning. However, FSU batters chased pitches out of the zone several times, keeping Wake Forest in the game long enough for their offense to respond.
They touched Wes Mendes for four runs in the top of the fourth and several more in the fifth. Mendes walked five batters and allowed five hits. Wake Forest wanted this game more than FSU. I posted this on social media right before Wake Forest blew the game open:
Hear that life coming from the WF dugout? We about to see who wants to win the game the most.
— Kelvin Hunt (@khchopchat) April 6, 2025
WF HR to take the lead came a minute after I posted this...If FSU don't respond ASAP to quell the momentum it'll be a wrap. Just gotta execute better in key situations. That's the name of the game. https://t.co/P5eNY7S5q8
— Kelvin Hunt (@khchopchat) April 6, 2025
Wake Forest scored seven runs after that and took the life right out of FSU and Dick Howser Stadium. Over half of the runs Wake Forest scored came with two outs.
It's not the end of the world. FSU lost the series against the Demon Deacons last year too. Wake Forest is one of the best offensive teams in the country as I pointed out in Friday's preview. FSU simply has to learn to play better situational baseball at the plate. Some of that is FSU is depending on three freshmen to play significant innings, and they don't have the experience to be effective in those situations. FSU pitchers must throw strikes and stop getting behind in counts.
If they can do those things, they can beat anyone in the country. If they don't, they have no shot to consistently beat good teams.
They'll have another tough test next weekend when they travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to face Virginia Tech, who swept this Wake Forest team last week. They'll face rival Florida on Tuesday in Gainesville.