JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A solid pitching performance by Jacksonville’s Jeff Tanner kept the Florida State lineup off-balance as the Dolphins (29-17) earned a 6-2 victory at Sessions Stadium on Tuesday evening. The setback halts the Seminoles’ (32-14) three-game winning streak and they now face a quick turnaround against Florida Gulf Coast at home on Wednesday afternoon.
FSU’s offense was highlighted by Taylor Walls (2-3, run) and Cal Raleigh (2-4). One of Raleigh’s two hits was a double that scored John Sansone from first base in the ninth. It was one of only two extra base hits for the Noles in the game. Teammate Dylan Busby (1-4) preceded Raleigh’s ninth inning double with a double of his own in the eighth. The Seminoles’ offense was unable to get in sync throughout the game, stranding 11 runners on base.
Five pitchers took the mound for FSU in the game, including starter Andrew Karp (1-1) who yielded three earned runs, three walks and two hits in his second career start. Among those in relief included Chase Haney and Alex Diese who worked a combined three innings, holding 10 JU hitters to one hit and one walk.
“We had a very frustrating night, but we have to continue to understand that we are a good baseball team,” said head coach Mike Martin. “We have got to keep working at it because we have a short time to do it in. The joy of it is that we have another game tomorrow so we can put this behind us.
The Garnet and Gold got on the board in the top of the first, capitalizing on back-to-back walks by Walls and Sansone when Quincy Nieporte sent a single through the right side of the infield, plating Walls for the 1-0 advantage.
Jacksonville answered with three runs in the second, highlighted by a two-run double into right field by Parker Perez, as the Dolphins moved in front 3-1. JU had its second three-run inning in the fifth, using a two-RBI single through the left side of the infield by Franco Guardascione, to establish a 6-1 edge.
Sansone drew his second walk of the game in the ninth, rounding the bases for the second Seminole run on a two-out double to right centerfield by Raleigh to make for the 6-2 decision.
Florida State returns home to face Florida Gulf Coast (May 11). The game with the Eagles will take place at 1 p.m. and will be a Fan Appreciation Day game.
As part of the Fan Appreciation Day there will be no charge for admission into Dick Howser Stadium and select menu items at the concession stands will be $2.
Wednesday’s matinee will feature FSU lefty Tyler Holton (2-3, 2.61 ERA) on the mound. Holton closed out the month of April with back-to-back victories against Stetson and Notre Dame where he combined for 11 strikeouts and allowed only three walks.
Seminole fans can always stay up-to-date with the Florida State Baseball team by following the official twitter page of the Seminoles (@FSUBaseball).
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