A sweep of epic proportions! FSU hammers Florida 19-4 for third win against Gators
The game started with Florida hitting two home runs on the first four pitches of the game.
After that, thanks to a relentless lineup and an environment unlike any in recent Dick Howser Stadium history it was all — emphasis on the word “all” — Florida State on Tuesday night.
The No. 10 Seminoles scored six runs in the first, five in the second, one in the third, five in the fourth and two more in the fifth as they completely pummeled the visiting Gators by the staggering score of 19-4. And it came in front of a sold-out crowd that included the Marching Chiefs, who were belting out songs all night in the bleachers down the right-field line.
By finishing off the season sweep in dominant fashion, Florida State is now 27-5 on the season. It marked the first time the Seminoles have swept the Gators in three games or more since 2000.
And when it was over, with the band still in the bleachers in right field, the Florida State players stood on the right-field line and sang the fight song with the Marching Chiefs and the rest of the sold-out crowd.
“I think that’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever seen in a game that I’ve coached or played at this level,” FSU coach Link Jarrett said.
It was one of many highlights from Tuesday night. And while the offensive ones are almost too lengthy to list, here goes nothing:
James Tibbs had a double and a home run. Cam Smith had three hits. Jaime Ferrer scored three runs. Jaxson West had two hits and his first homer of the season. Daniel Cantu had two hits and his fourth homer of the year. Drew Faurot had three hits. Alex Lodise had a homer and 3 RBIs.
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And then there was Marco Dinges, who had two doubles and then a grand slam off the scoreboard in the fourth inning, which officially put the game out of reach.
In total, Florida State pounded out 19 hits — nine of which went for extra bases (five homers and four doubles). And the Seminoles did all that in six innings because the game was called due to the run-rule after the Seminoles retired the Gators in the seventh inning.
“I don’t even know where to start offensively — the guys were just locked in,” Jarrett said. “They were locked in, really from the first at-bat of the game … I’m proud of the way the guys handled this.”
It was the second straight run-rule win for Florida State over Florida this season. In three games against the Gators this season, the Seminoles scored 45 runs.
Florida State returns to Howser on Thursday night for the first of a three-game series with Miami.
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