SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Seminole offense and defense combined to post a pair of impressive wins over RV Texas State (2-2) and Portland State (1-3) on Saturday in the Bobcat Classic. No. 9 Florida State (4-0) recorded an 8-0 shutout in six innings over Texas State and closed out the day with an 11-1 win in five innings against Portland State.
The trio of Seminole pitchers – Meghan King, Kylee Hanson and Tessa Daniels – combined to allow only three hits over the 11 innings played on the day.
Through four games of the season, 11 different Seminoles have recorded at least one extra-base hit, with five players with multiple XBH and led by five each from Carsyn Gordon (two doubles, a triple and two home runs) and Jessie Warren (three doubles and two home runs). In total, Florida State has tallied 24 extra-base hits in its first 43 hits of the season – 11 doubles, six triples and seven home runs.
“Solid weekend and I think we got out of it what we wanted,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “We were able to stick to our plans at the plate and had a lot of quality at-bats and were able to see players in many different defensive positions. In the circle, we worked through some challenging spots and will be able to learn a lot from this weekend as we come home. Looking forward to opening the season at JoAnne Graf Field on Wednesday.”
Game 1: No. 9 Florida State 8, RV Texas State 0 (6 inn)
As the home team in the first game of the day against host school Texas State, the Seminoles opened the game with pair of runs in the bottom of the first to take a 2-0 lead on the Bobcats. Morgan Klaevemann led off with an infield single, stole second and came in to score on an RBI double by Warren, her second of the season and 39th of her career, moving into a tie for sixth all-time in FSU history with Victoria East (2013-16) and Brandi Stuart (2000-03). Warren moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single by Cali Harrod.
The Noles had a two-out rally in the third inning, posting five consecutive singles with two away to make it a 5-0 game. Dani Morgan had a two-RBI single to right and Zoe Casas lined an RBI single to center to score the runs for FSU.
Senior Korina Rosario started the FSU fourth inning by being hit by pitch and stole second base to move into scoring position. Gordon drove her in with an RBI single up the middle to push the Florida State advantage to 6-0 through four complete innings.
King had another outstanding start in the circle for Florida State, allowing just one base runner on a single in the first inning until an FSU error in the fourth put a Bobcat runner on base. Texas State threatened in the fifth inning as Ariel Ortiz was hit by a pitch and eventually reached third base on a groundout and a passed ball. A walk to Kennedy Cline put runners on the corners with two outs, but a fly out to left ended the threat.
The Noles nearly ended the game in the bottom of the fifth as Leslie Farris lined a two-out double down the left field line. Rosario followed with a towering shot to right field, but the 25+ mph wind blowing in kept the ball from leaving the yard, bouncing off the top of the wall for an RBI triple and a 7-0 lead.
Florida State got its eighth run of the game in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game with the run-rule victory. Gordon hit a single to right and was pinch-run for by Deja Bush. Bush stole second, but advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch to seal the 8-0 victory.
King (2-0) finished with a complete-game one-hitter, allowing just one walk with four strikeouts over 6.0 innings.
Game 2: No. 9 Florida State 11, Portland State 1 (5 Inn)
Florida State started strong in the second game of the day, plating four runs in the top of the first inning against Portland State. Klaevemann led off the game and reached on a Viking fielding error and immediately stole second base. Gordon opened the scoring with a two-run home run, and Harrod followed with a solo home run of her own.
The inning continued with a single to left by Morgan and after she stole second base, Casas drove her in on an RBI double into the left field corner.
The Noles loaded the bases in the second inning behind a single by Warren and walks to Rosario and Gordon, but were only able to score one run in the frame on a sacrifice fly by Harrod.
A three-run third inning pushed the Seminole lead to 8-0 over Portland State. Casas singled, but was replaced at first on a fielder’s choice by Sydney Sherrill. The freshman stole second and moved up to third on a throwing error. A walk to Rosario put runners on the corners and the senior quickly stole second, and another PSU throwing error allowed Sherrill to score from third. Klaevemann followed with a walk and Warren cleared the bases with a two-RBI double to center.
FSU starter Kylee Hanson retired the first eight batters she faced before allowing a single up the middle in the bottom of the third inning. She ended the inning with her fourth strikeout of the game.
The Seminoles added an unearned run in the top of the fourth as Elizabeth Mason drew a pinch-hit walk and then advanced to third on a PSU throwing error. Sherrill drove in her fourth RBI of the season with a sacrifice fly to left.
Tessa Daniels came into pitch to start the fourth, ending Hanson’s day in the circle. Hanson improved to 2-0 on the season and faced only 10 batters in the win. After Daniels retired the first two batters, the Vikings got runners on first and second after a single and an FSU error. A wild pitch caromed far away from the plate, allowing the Viking runner to score from second and cut the Seminole lead to 9-1.
Warren led off the Seminole fifth inning with a solo home run to right, and Gordon followed with a walk on four pitches. Gordon moved up to second on a wild pitch, tagged and went to third on a fly out to center, and came in to score on an RBI groundout by Morgan.
Daniels closed out the game with a scoreless fifth inning and finished with 2.0 innings pitched and gave up one run on one hit and one walk and recorded two strikeouts.
The final day of the Bobcat Classic has been canceled due to weather. The Seminoles return to Tallahassee and will host their season opener against Florida A&M on Wednesday, February 14 at 6:00 p.m. at JoAnne Graf Field.
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