FSU baseball put on a gutsy performance to stave off elimination and force a third and deciding game against the Oregon State Beavers in the Corvallis Super Regional.
FSU won the game 3-1 after pitching ace Jamie Arnold allowed a two-out hit for a 1-0 deficit in the first inning. The FSU offense was anemic early, and Arnold struggled with a high pitch count through the first three innings. However, the Noles managed to tie the game 1-1 on a Max Williams single.
Arnold settled in after that and got through 6.2 innings, allowing six hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts. Maison Martinez got a huge strikeout to end the seventh inning, and a Gage Harrelson RBI single in the bottom of the frame gave a 2-1 lead.
Peyton Prescott relieved Martinez after a leadoff walk in the top of the eighth. Prescott got a strikeout and a double-play ground out to end the inning and finished the Beavers off in the ninth.
Presscott hit 100 mph on the radar gun a few times and starting landing his changup to keep their batters off balance.
The FSU offense struggled early striking out 11 times against the Oregon State starter. However, they had better luck against Oregon State relievers, getting four of their six hits off of their bullpen.
The Noles are in a good spot and starting Joey Volini in game was proved to be the right move, as FSU will send one of the hottest starting pitchers in the country to the mound in the winner-take-all game on Sunday with Wes Mendes.
Oregon State doesn't have a third game starter of that caliber and FSU may be able to take advantage early. The deciding game will begin at 9 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN2. Make sure you tune in because the first two games have been excellent.