FSU baseball couldn't have planned it any better, winning their first 11 games in 2024 after the passing of Mike Martin Sr. a few weeks back. The Noles demolished FGCU baseball Wednesday evening, 19-3, avenging a series loss in 2023. The game didn't start great, with Conner Whittaker allowing back-to-back solo home runs in the first inning. However, Whittaker settled down to go six innings, allowing three earned runs, three hits, one walk, and nine strikeouts. It's about what you've come to expect from Whittaker every outing. Hudson Rowan pitched an inning, allowing a hit and striking out the side. Yoel Tejada redeemed himself from his disastrous start against Western Carolina, pitching two scoreless innings, walking two, striking out two, and allowing one hit. The FSU defense turned in another clean sheet, while FGCU committed four errors. This game was all about the FSU offense.
The Noles threatened in the bottom half of the first with the bases loaded and no outs, only scoring one run. They would have that situation a couple of more times in the game, and they cashed in big time. Jaime Ferrer went 1-3, with a grand slam and five RBI. Marcos Dinges went 2-4 with four RBI. Alex Lodise continues to show signs of life with the bat, going 3-5 with two RBI. Cameron Smith continues to hit at a torrid pace, going 3-4 with two RBI. Cal Fisher came off the bench to go 2-2 with two RBI. FSU pounded 18 hits and six walks and struck out nine times. They scored every inning except the second and seventh. The Noles will be back in action this weekend, hosting New Orleans in a three-game series starting Friday at 5 p.m. The Noles will play Florida after that before starting ACC play against Notre Dame.