Florida State pounds Miami, 11-7, clinches another series win against rival
The Florida State lineup, which has produced one of the most explosive offenses in all of college baseball this season, was once again relentless on Friday.
After falling behind by one run in the top of the first inning against rival Miami, the Seminoles responded by scoring in each of the first seven innings en route to an 11-7 victory.
With the win, FSU (29-5, 9-5 in ACC) has clinched series victories against both of its biggest rivals this season. The Seminoles already swept three midweek games from Florida, and now they have won their first two against Miami.
Florida State is 11-0 against teams from the state of Florida.
“This means the world to me,” said senior left fielder James Tibbs, who gave FSU a 7-4 lead in the fourth inning with a two-run homer. “Knowing the rivalry at Florida State that we have with Miami and Florida — and to see what’s happened the last two years — it means more than anybody will know.
“That’s what I wanted to come here and do. To be a part of that is something I’ll forever be thankful for.”
FSU pounded out 13 hits against six UM pitchers and scored two runs in the first and second innings, one in the third, two in the fourth, one in the fifth, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh.
As that line score would suggest, it was a balanced attack for Florida State, as the Seminoles had five different starters record two hits apiece.
Tibbs led the way by going 2-for-3 with the home run and 4 RBIs. First baseman Daniel Cantu also went 2-for-3, Cam Smith and Max Williams each went 2-for-4, and Jaime Ferrer went 2-for-5.
“It’s pretty fantastic,” Tibbs said of the Seminoles’ offensive attack. “Everybody can do damage. The word I think of is relentless. It’s just constant pressure.”
Florida State also got an excellent relief performance from senior left-hander Brennen Oxford. After starter Brady Louck was pulled in the top of the third inning following a three-run homer by Miami’s Daniel Cuvet, Oxford came in and kept the Hurricanes in check for most of the next five innings.
Oxford (2-0) picked up the victory by allowing one run on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. When he exited the game with two outs in the seventh inning, Florida State’s fans showered him with applause.
“We have the best fans in the country because they appreciate the details of the game,” FSU head coach Link Jarrett said. “And that’s a detail of the game. They knew that his time was up — should have been up — and he answered for us. And it was a really cool moment for him.”
The Seminoles will go for the sweep of the Hurricanes on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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