(Fun fact: Florida State held both of the previous records, with its 19-run margin of victory over Sam Houston State in 2017 and 23 runs scored vs Texas A&M in 2011. It still owns the all-time postseason run record with 37 against Ohio State.)
Facing the Big East Pitcher of the Year Ian Cook, who silenced the Duke bats last week, Florida State punished him for five runs and chased him out of the game after a 1 2⁄3 IP. Back-to-back jacks from Marco Dinges and Jamie Ferrer set the tone, but one run or more in each of the first four innings put the game on cruise control.
Florida State’s patient approach at the plate against Cooke and Garrett Coe forced the Huskies to come to the plate and led to the big innings. The Seminoles drew 15 walks, and three hit-by-pitches put runners on base and kept the line moving. It took a complete effort, 1-9, as all 13 batters reached base, counting the pinch hitters, nine recorded hits, and five home runs.
As the FSU bats were hotter than the Tallahassee sun, Carson Dorsey cooled off the UConn lineup. He went nine up and nine down in the first three innings and had command of his fastball and breaking pitch. His quick frames early allowed him to work into the sixth inning on a scorching day and forced the Huskie pitchers and fielders to bake out in the sun. He wore down later in his start but battled not to allow UConn back into the game.
The game started just as Link Jarrett did last night.
Dorsey went 1-2-3 in the first on just ten pitches, and Cooke drilled Max Williams on the first pitch of the bottom half. Cam Smith and James Tibbs had loud outs, and Marco Dinges fell behind 0-2 before the barrage began.
The DH stepped on a fastball over the heart of the plate for an opposite-field two-run blast as the Seminoles drew first blood. While the Animals in B shouted for Dinges, Jamie Ferrer kept the fans on their feet. He needed one pitch, drilling a 425-foot bomb that smashed off the top of the Seminole logo as Florida State went up 3-0 at the end of the first.
The momentum continued in the second, as a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out ended the top half, before the bottom of the lineup went to work. Lodise led off with his first of three hits as the SS had one of his best days at the plate. Two batters later, the lineup turned over for Max Williams, who utilized the short fence.
His fly ball kept carrying out to right, and 365 feet later, Florida State chased Cooke, led 5-0, and the rout was on. An inning later, Florida State put up another crooked number with a third. UConn brought in their leader, Garrett Coe, but he could not find the plate, as FSU walked four times and went up 8-0.
