TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State’s Alec Byrd retired his first 12 batters in relief of starter Mike Compton and outfielder DJ Stewart hit a solo shot in the seventh inning that proved to be the game-winner as the 16th-ranked Seminoles (6-3) handed UNC Wilmington (6-1) its first loss of the season with a 4-3 victory Friday afternoon on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.
Byrd (1-0), who began his evening with a clutch strikeout to get out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of fourth, earned his first victory of the season with a 4.1-inning effort, the longest of his career. He was able to keep the Seahawk batters at-bay on a night in which UNCW out hit Florida State 7-3.
“Hard to believe that he could come in and strike out eight in 4.1 innings,” Florida State head coach Mike Martin said. “His outing was very, very impressive. He is starting to feel comfortable out there.”
Stewart broke the deadlock in the bottom of the seventh with one swing of the bat. The junior from Yulee, Fla., took the first offering from reliever Austin Magestro (1-1) to open the seventh over the right field fence for his second home run of the season.
Florida State and UNC Wilmington return to the field for game two of the series on Saturday, February 28 at 2 pm.
*FSU Sports Information
