FSU baseball: James Tibbs carries Noles past UConn, Noles going to Omaha

FSU baseball didn't need James Tibbs to get past teams in the Tallahassee Regional. However, James Tibbs carried the Noles past UConn in game two of Super Regionals for a 10-8 extra-inning win to send the Noles back to the College World Series for the first time since 2019. James Tibbs went 5-6 with three home runs and six RBI. FSU didn't get off to a great start behind FSU starting pitcher Jamie Arnold. An error and hit batter helped UConn build a 2-0 lead. The Noles answered with James Tibbs' first home run, a two-run shot in the top of the third. Arnold settled in after that, but some defensive miscues forced him to throw way more pitches than needed. He went 5.1 innings, allowing seven hits, five earned runs, zero walks, and nine strikeouts. Brennen Oxford relieved Arnold with two runners on in the sixth inning. Oxford went 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, three walks, and one strikeout. FSU trailed 7-6 going into the top of the eighth and Jaxson West continues to come up with big hits in key situations. West hit a solo home run to tie the game 7-7.

FSU took an 8-7 lead on a Drew Faurot sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth. Joe Charles relieved Oxford and got a huge bases loaded out in the bottom of the eighth. Link Jarrett made a questionable decision to allow Conner Hults to start the ninth inning, and UConn tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the inning. Conner Whittaker relieved Hultz and was outstanding, pitching 3.1 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out three. Whittaker getting through the bottom of the eleventh inning set the stage for the top of the lineup. Max Williams led off with a single between third base and shortstop. Cam Williams lined out to centerfield, and James Tibbs took a 1-0 pitch deep over the right-field fence. FSU will play the winner of Tennessee/Evansville. Max Williams went 3-7 with a home run. Cam Smith went 2-5 and Marco Dinges went 1-7 with a home run. It was a huge win for FSU and beneficial to avoid a game three with a depleted bullpen.