⚾️: Whittaker’s 8 IP lead Noles to series win

TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Sophomore Conner Whittaker allowed just three hits and struck out seven over 8.0 scoreless innings as FSU clinched the series against Mercer with a 9-0 win Saturday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium. Whittaker’s eight innings were the most for a Seminole pitcher this season.

At the plate, freshmen DeAmez Ross and Cam Smith hit two-run triples, while James Tibbs hit a three-run home run, his team-high 14^th.

After the first two batters of the game singled against Whittaker, only three more batters reached against the right-hander: a third-inning walk, a fourth-inning single and on an error in the eighth inning. Whittaker ended the sixth, seventh and eighth innings with a strikeout.

Ross started the scoring with his first career triple, plating Colton Vincent and Nander De Sedas with two outs in the second inning. Ross has an eight-game hitting streak, a career long and tied with Jaime Ferrer for the longest active streak on the team.

After McGwire Holbrook drew a bases loaded walk in the third, Smith’s fifth triple of the season pushed the Noles lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning. His five triples are the most for a Seminole since 2016, and he leads the ACC in three-baggers. Smith scored on Treyton Rank’s sacrifice fly.

Tibbs’ three-run home run in the eighth inning was his 14^th of the season and 24^th of his career. With three hits, a walk, two runs and three RBI Saturday, Tibbs is now hitting .329 and leads FSU with 49 runs, 39 RBI and 38 walks.

Brennen Oxford closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, his 22^nd appearance of the year. The shutout was FSU’s first of the season.

SCORING SUMMARY:

B2 | MER 0, FSU 2 Ross tripled, Vincent & De Sedas scored
B3 | MER 0, FSU 3 Holbrook walked, Rank scored
B4 | MER 0, FSU 5 Smith tripled, Ross & Tibbs scored
B4 | MER 0, FSU 6 Rank sacrifice fly, Smith scored
B8 | MER 0, FSU 9 Tibbs home run, Ross & Ferrer scored

UP NEXT:

Sunday, 1:00 PM vs. Mercer – ACCNX – 1^st pack of trading cards available
Tuesday, 6:00 PM vs. Jacksonville – ACCNX – $2 Tuesday

OF NOTE:

• Conner Whittaker set a career-high with 8.0 innings pitched, the longest for a Seminole this season. He allowed just three hits and struck out seven batters for his fourth win of the year.
• Freshmen DeAmez Ross and Cam Smith each hit two-run triples, FSU’s third game this season – and second this week – with multiple triples. Ross’s triple was the first of his career, while Smith leads FSU with five, most for a Nole since Dylan Busby had five in 2016.
• FSU’s 15 triples are its most since hitting 18 in 2013. Eight different Seminoles have a triple on the year.
• James Tibbs had three hits, including a three-run home run. Tibbs is now hitting .329 and leads FSU with 14 home runs, 39 RBI and 49 runs scored. He also improved to 5-for-5 stealing bases, tied with Ross for the team lead.
• Ross and Jaime Ferrer (single Saturday) lead FSU with eight-game hitting streaks. Smith’s five triples rank 12^th nationally and lead the ACC.
• Colton Vincent drew two walks, tying a career high for the second consecutive game.
• Treyton Rank pushed his hit streak to five games, a career high. He had two hits, scored a run and had an RBI for the second straight game. With five hits in the series against Mercer, Rank is now hitting .291 on the year.

For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter and Facebook (@FSUBaseball) & Instagram (@NoleBaseball).