After a less-than-ideal outing against Florida Gulf Coast last week, RHP Jackson Baumeister struck out a career-high nine batters in a pitching clincher by both teams in Florida State’s 3-2 win against Pittsburgh.
The Seminoles (10–3, 1–0 ACC) initially found themselves in a pitcher’s duel, as Baumeister and Panthers starter Jack Sokol went back and forth, striking out both batters. Between the two starts, he struck out 18 batters. Between the two sides, 33 batsmen were dismissed in a span of 12 innings.
Pittsburgh (7-6, 0-1 ACC) was able to break the impasse with a one-run inning in the fourth. Left fielder AJ Nestler singled to left field to bring home a run, resulting in Baumeister’s only hit on the day. He was able to work two more innings before being pulled in the 6th.
Florida State was not without opportunities to counter, as it had multiple runners with one out on three separate occasions, but was unable to capitalize until the bottom of the 6th inning. The Seminoles were able to take the lead on a pair of RBI singles by Cade Bush and Nander de Sedas.
The Seminoles were not able to hold it as Pittsburgh was able to score on a fielder’s choice in the top of the 8th. The score remained tied for the remainder of regulation.
Connor Whitaker, who had taken over for Baumeister in the 6th, carried his strong innings from the pennant over into extra innings. Like Baumeister, Whitaker struck out a career-high of nine batters.
Although the Panthers threatened to take the lead in extra innings, 6–3 double plays by shortstop Jordan Carrion in back-to-back innings tied the game. In the bottom of the 12th inning, Cam Smith singled over the head of the second baseman to get Florida State the needed baserunner. James Tibbs was able to follow it up by screaming a grounder past the second baseman.
After an intentional walk by Jaime Ferrer, Carrion found a gap between five infielders to give FSU the win after a pitching duel.
Despite not playing the type of game he wanted until extra innings, Carrion’s dominant defensive play and timely batting were able to give the Seminoles a leg up in the series.
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Florida State and Pittsburgh will face off in Game 2 on Saturday at 3 PM. Wyatt Crowell will make his first career start. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Xtra.