TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Behind another outstanding performance from sophomore Tyler Holton, Florida State (22-15, 8-9 ACC) knocked off No. 4 Clemson 7-3 Sunday afternoon to even the series. Holton pitched a career-high eight innings, allowing three runs and striking out nine. Offensively, FSU used home runs from Taylor Walls, Quincy Nieporte and Dylan Busby in beating the Tigers (30-6, 14-3).
“This game was obviously very important to us,” head coach Mike Martin said. “With our lineup, we have the ability to do what transpired today.
“It’s all about pitching and defense. You don’t make an error, the other team scores three – you have to be very pleased with Tyler Holton.”
Holton, a three-time ACC Pitcher of the Week this season, allowed a run in a shaky first inning, but with the bases loaded and one out, struck out Drew Wharton and forced a fly out from Andrew Cox.
Walls responded with his second leadoff home run of the week to tie the game. With two outs, Cal Raleigh singled home Rhett Aplin before Nieporte’s team-high seventh home run of the season gave FSU a 4-1 lead after one inning.
In the third, FSU got its final three runs off the bat of Busby. His three-run home run, also with two outs, scored Aplin and Raleigh and pushed FSU’s lead to 7-1.
With a six-run cushion, Holton allowed just two more runs – an RBI single to Logan Davidson in the fifth and a Seth Beer home run to open the sixth. Holton finished with nine strikeouts in eight innings on 123 pitches.
Senior Alec Byrd worked around a two-out single in the ninth, striking out Reed Rohlman to end the game.
Clemson starter Alex Eubanks (5-3) allowed a career-high seven earned runs in three innings. Alex Schnell and Owen Griffith held the Noles scoreless for the final five innings, allowing three hits and one walk.
The series finale will take place Monday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPNU, with Anish Shroff and Chris Burke on the call.
Eric Luallen will provide play-by-play audio on 106.1 FM in Tallahassee and nationwide on the FSU Gameday App.
