RALEIGH, N.C. — Despite Mike Salvatore hitting for the cycle, Florida State (13-4, 2-3 ACC) fell at No. 12 NC State (19-0, 5-0) 9-8 on a walk-off single in the ninth inning. Salvatore’s cycle was the ninth in FSU history and the first since current assistant coach Tyler Holt in 2010.
Salvatore set a career high with four hits and tied career highs in runs (3) and RBI (4).
Salvatore opened the game with a single and scored on Drew Mendoza’s team-high sixth home run of the season. In the second inning, Salvatore tripled to score Mat Nelson and scored on Reese Albert’s single for a 4-0 FSU lead.
The Wolfpack tied the game in the bottom of the second on a two-run single and a game-tying home run from David Vazquez, his first of the year. NC State took a 5-4 lead on Tyler McDonough’s RBI single in the third inning.
Salvatore, from Ewing, N.J., hit an RBI double in the fourth inning to tie the score and, with FSU leading 6-5 in the eighth inning, hit his second home run of the season to again score Nelson and push FSU’s lead to 8-5.
Wolfpack designated hitter Brad Debo tied the game with a three-run home run off FSU reliever Jonah Scolaro in the eighth inning. Scolaro walked McDonough and Evan Edwards before Debo’s second home run of the season.
In the ninth inning, pinch hitter Devonte Brown walked against Conor Grady (2-1). Florida State head coach Mike Martin was ejected during Brown’s at-bat by home plate umpire Craig Barron.
J.C. Flowers, who had a pair of hits as FSU’s center fielder, entered, walked a batter and forced two outs before McDonough’s walk-off single up the middle.
CJ Van Eyk pitched six innings for FSU, allowing five runs on five hits with nine strikeouts. After a rough second inning, Van Eyk retired 10 of 11 batters until opening the seventh inning with a walk, his final batter of the game.
Reid Johnston lasted just 2.0 innings for NC State, giving up four runs on five hits. Dalton Feeney (1-0) gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth inning but FSU stranded runners on the corners.
OF NOTE
- The NC State baseball program gifted FSU coach Mike Martin a new golf club in recognition of his final season leading the Noles.
- Mike Salvatore recorded FSU’s first cycle since 2010, hitting a first inning single, a second inning triple, a fourth inning double and a home run in the eighth inning. FSU’s last cycle was on March 28, 2010 by current first base coach Tyler Holt.
- Salvatore’s triple and home run were his second of the season. In six career games against NC State, Salvatore is hitting .609 (14-for-23).
- Salvatore set a career high with four hits and tied career highs with three runs scored and four RBI.
- Drew Mendoza’s first inning home run was his team-high sixth of the season and 23rd of his career. He added three walks and has successfully reached base in all 17 games this season. He has four games this season with three walks.
- Designated hitter Alec Sanchez made the first start of his career. He stole his first career base.
- Elijah Cabell was hit by a pitch for the eighth time this season.
- Mat Nelson had his second sacrifice bunt of the season. He has two of FSU’s three sac bunts on the year. He also stole his second base of the year.
- Starting pitcher CJ Van Eyk pitched a season-high 6.0 innings and struck out a season-high nine batters.
- Head coach Mike Martin was ejected in the ninth inning. It was the first time the 40-year veteran has been tossed since May 21, 2011.
Up Next
Florida State wraps the series with NC State Sunday at 1:00 p.m. LHP Shane Drohan will make his fourth start of the season.
The game will stream live on ACC Network Extra. Fans in Tallahassee can listen on the radio on 106.1 FM and nationwide on the FSU Gameday App.
For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or keep up with the team on social media through Twitter (@FSUBaseball), Facebook (/FSUBaseball), and Instagram (@NoleBaseball).
