Optimism was hardly high for Florida State entering last week’s home game against Jacksonville. The Seminoles had dropped three of their previous four games including a 5-3 loss to the Dolphins the week prior.
Florida State’s recent 4-game winning streak hasn’t been a thing of beauty as the victories have come against the likes of Jacksonville and UNC-Wilmington and by a total of just seven runs. During the stretch however, Florida State has shown a competitive spirit that not everyone knew it had.
During the Seminoles’ current winning streak, Florida State has trailed in the sixth inning or later twice and were tied in the seventh on another occasion. After just a 4-3 start to the year, adversity probably wasn’t what Florida State was looking for when it began a 14-game homestand, but so far, the Seminoles have excelled when facing it.
In Wednesday’s 10-7 win over Jacksonville, FSU went ahead for good by putting up a four-spot in the sixth thanks to a home run from Darren Miller and big RBIs from Taylor Walls and John Sansone.
It was D.J. Stewart’s solo blast in the seventh that was the difference in Florida State’s 4-3 victory over UNC-Wilmington on Friday and on Saturday, the Seminoles pushed across two unearned runs in the eighth inning after Gage West had tied the game with a RBI hit for FSU earlier in the frame.
Unlike in years past, the starting pitching is not very deep. The veteran of the staff, Mike Compton, has pitched well as has Boomer Biegalski, but Bryant Holtmann and Cobi Johnson have each been knocked around a bit. The defense hasn’t been a huge help as the Seminoles have yielded 10 unearned runs in 11 games.
The bullpen however, is shaping up to be better than expected. After losing key late inning guys in Gage Smith and Jameis Winston, the FSU relievers have managed to get the ‘Noles out of a number of jams this season.
Closer Billy Strode was named the ACC’s pitcher of the week after earning saves in four straight games without allowing a run and striking out 10 of the 11 batters he retired. Alec Byrd was stellar in relief in Friday’s 4-3 victory, giving up just a hit while fanning eight in 4 1/3 shutout innings to earn the win. Youngsters Taylor Folsom and Jim Voyles have also yet to give up a run in a combined 10 relief appearances.
After a 4-3 start that had the fan base somewhat in a panic, things have taken a turn for the better for the Seminoles. At 8-3, only Virginia, Duke and Notre Dame have more wins among ACC schools. The competition hasn’t been great thus far for FSU and there are still a number of concerns, but the ‘Noles are shaping up to be a gritty bunch and in baseball, that can go a long way.
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