One day after a 4-run frame for Maryland did in Florida State, the Seminoles used the big inning to their advantage to down Virginia 6-4 in the ACC Tournament on Saturday.
Florida State trailed 4-1 entering the bottom of the seventh in the ACC Tournament finale for both teams on Saturday night before a 4-run inning put the Seminoles ahead for good.
FSU was able to draw to within two on a RBI groundout from outfielder Josh Delph. After Casey Smit drew a walk, ACC Player of the Year, D.J. Stewart and Seminoles’ first baseman John Nogowski collected back-to-back RBI singles to knot the contest at four.
Florida State took its first lead since the third inning one batter later, as Jose Brizuela singled to right field to make it a 5-4 game. Virginia threatened in the top of the eighth, putting runners at second and third with one out, but closer Jameis Winston was able to pitch out of the jam thanks to an outstanding play from his shortstop.
After a tough day in the field on Friday, Justin Gonzalez may have single-handily saved the Seminoles on Saturday. On a hard shot off the bat of Virginia’s John La Prise, Gonzalez made a diving catch in the hole before doubling off a Cavaliers’ runner at second base to end the threat. The Seminoles would add a run in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Smit.
Winston worked a perfect ninth to collect his seventh save of the season. Gage Smith earned the victory for the Seminoles to move to 5-2 on the year. Sansone, Nogowski and Brizuela each finished with a pair of hits for FSU.
The Seminoles drew first blood in the second inning with a RBI single off the wall from second baseman John Sansone. Virginia answered in the top of the third with a three-run inning highlighted by a two-run home run from Brandon Downes. The Cavaliers would add a run in the sixth inning.
While Florida State will not be playing for the conference’s championship on Sunday, FSU finishes the 2014 ACC Tournament with a 2-1 record after losing its previous seven conference tournament games. With a 43-15 overall record for the season, FSU will likely be awarded a national seed when the NCAA Tournament brackets are unveiled on Monday.
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