No. 14 Florida State bounced back from a weekend sweep to one of the ACC’s worst teams with a 9-1 win over the USF Bulls on Wednesday.
Cooper Whited (3-2) got the start and win for Florida State, throwing 40 strikes on 61 pitches in four innings, logging four strikeouts while giving up three hits and a run.
USF saw back-to-back groundouts to start things off, getting two on after a single and a fielding error but leaving them stranded after a third groundout.
Florida State, desperate to see the bats
come alive, got that wish fulfilled early in Wednesday’s matchup as the Seminoles logged five runs in the bottom of the first. John Stuetzer struck out looking to start, but Chase Williams singled to center. Hunter Carns and Nathan Cmeyla followed with back-to-back walks to load the bases. Brody DeLamielleure then hit a two-run single to left, scoring Williams and Carns. USF made a pitching change, but Eli Putnam singled to left center to score Cmeyla — and a fielding error by left fielder Nate Earley allowed DeLamielleure to advance to third and Putnam to reach second.
Noah Sheffield then reached on an error by Relaford, allowing DeLamielleure and Putnam to score on unearned runs. Cal Fisher grounded out to end the inning, leaving the Seminoles up 5-0.
Both teams went quietly in the second inning, each going three up, three down.
Cooper Whited walked the first USF batter of the third, but three straight outs — a lineout and two flyouts — wrapped up the top of the frame.
The bottom of the third saw another 1-2-3 from FSU, with Cmeyla and Fraser grounding out sandwiching a DeLamielleure flyout.
USF got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth, converting a leadoff double to a run after an RBI single, but couldn’t get anything else going with three straight outs following — a pair of Whited strikeouts alongside a flyout.
The Bulls made their second change on the mound in the bottom frame, with the new pitcher striking out Putnam and Sheffield before walking Cal Fisher. John Stuetzer, facing a full count, singled to keep the inning going. Williams nearly loaded the bases on a hit to the shortstop but couldn’t beat the throw, stranding two.
Florida State turned to Cade O’Leary to begin the fifth, with the righty overseeing another 1-2-3 frame with two strikeouts.
Carns was walked to start the bottom of the fifth, advancing to second off a wild pitch and then scoring off a Cmeyla single to extend the Seminoles’ lead to five once more and prompting USF to turn to its fourth pitcher.
DeLamielleure and Fraser followed that up with singles of their own to load the bases with no outs. Putnam struck out looking on a 2-2 count, Sheffield grounded out to score Cmeyla but Fisher wasn’t able to tack on another run, grounding out to end the inning with FSU leading 7-1.
Florida State brought out Brodie Purcell to begin the sixth, who logged three strikeouts alongside a walk for a quick inning.
Stuetzer began the bottom of the sixth with a groundout to first, followed by a Williams walk and subsequent stealing of second. He took third off a passed ball, but Carns’ hit went towards third, leading to Williams getting tagged out at home. Cmeyla struck out swinging to end the inning, stranding Carns on second.
Florida State once again made a change at the top of the seventh, sending out Gabe Nard. He gave up a single to start his time on the mound but then struck out two before a flyout sent things to the bottom frame. USF made its fourth change on the mound and DeLamielleure welcomed him with a deep left-field homer. Fraser struck out on a dropped third strike, reaching on a passed ball. He advanced to second on a Putnam groundout and then stole third, scoring on a Carter McCulley (pinch hitting for Sheffield) groundout RBI. Fisher grounded out to third to end the inning, Florida State leading 9-1.
A fantastic play from Fraser at short to get the runner out at first was initially called safe, but replay confirmed the out. Nard’s day ended there, with Cole Stokes taking the mound in his place.
A Stuetzer groundout began the bottom frame, Williams, facing a 3-2 count, twisted awkwardly during a swing, leading to Clancy Marsh pinch hitting, at which point he grounded out for the second out of the inning. Kaden Frommelt got the opportunity to pinch hit for Carns, facing off against a new USF pitcher.
Frommelt flied out to end the inning, giving USF one last shot at making up the deficit.
The Bulls grounded out for the first out of the frame, putting two runners on with back-to-back singles. Both were left stranded, though, as a flyout and lineout closed out the frame and game, solidifying the Seminoles’ 9-1 win.
Florida State returns to play on Friday for game one of the Seminoles’ series against the Pitt Panthers.
