After suffering a sweep at the hands of No. 3-ranked Clemson, the 17th-ranked Florida State Seminoles defeated the No. 6-ranked Florida Gators, clinching the season series for the first time since 2015.
It was a batting performance for the ages for the ‘Noles, who finished the game in Jacksonville with 15 hits that scored 14 runs.
Seven of the ‘Noles starting nine had hits in the game. Perhaps even more impressive was the ‘Noles three strikeouts against a solid Gator bullpen. James Tibbs III, Daniel Cantu and Jaxson West led the Seminoles in hits with three apiece. Cantu and Drew Faurot led the team with five RBI’s in the game.
Cantu and Faurot weren’t just knocking in RBI’s, however. Cantu homered in the seventh and Faurot had a pair of bombs in the game, including a grand slam to ice the game in the eighth.
FSU’s pitching staff was solid in the neutral site contest. Andrew Armstrong got the start for the ‘Noles, but was pulled after one inning after giving up two hits, three runs, a walk and recording two strikeouts. After Joe Charles came in in relief, it was lights out for the Gators.
Charles, John Abraham and Brennen Oxford combined for 11 K’s and gave up just a single hit. Meanwhile, Florida cycled through six pitchers who all gave up at least one run except for Blake Purnell, who pitched just 0.1 innings.
The win puts the wind back in FSU’s sails after a tough series sweep by Clemson. The ‘Noles are 20-3 at time of writing and will next welcome ACC challenger Louisville to Tallahassee as they attempt to break .500 in conference play.