NOTRE DAME, Ind. – No. 13 Florida State swept a doubleheader at Notre Dame Friday, winning game one 8-2 and game two 8-3 in 13 innings in Frank Eck Stadium. Cole Sands (4-1) won game one, throwing seven strikeouts in six innings, while Jim Voyles (2-0) got the win in game two, throwing the final three innings, allowing just two hits.
“That’s a class program (Notre Dame), and we’re fortunate to win that second game,” head coach Mike Martin said. “I’m just proud to be part of a series like this. Every at-bat was important, and our pitching was good in both games.”
Friday’s doubleheader was finalized earlier in the morning, with inclement weather looming over the remainder of the weekend.
Florida State had to overcome a deficit in each game, trailing 1-0 through three innings in the opener and 2-0 through six innings in the night cap. Dylan Busby’s fourth home run of the season, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, gave FSU all the runs it would need in game one. In the second, FSU scored a pair of seventh inning runs on a passed ball and walk to close the early deficit.
Game One: FSU 8, Notre Dame 2
Florida State (16-7, 4-3 ACC) got a career-high six innings and seven strikeouts from starter Cole Sands (4-1), allowing just one run on five hits. The sophomore was replaced by Alec Byrd, who allowed a hit in an inning, and Chase Haney, who pitched the final two innings, allowing a run in the ninth.
Offensively, FSU got a pair of doubles from Quincy Nieporte, three hits and four RBI’s from Busby and two hits, including his first triple, from Nick Derr. J.C. Flowers was hit by a pair of pitches and added his second double of the season.
Game Two: FSU 8, Notre Dame 3 (13 innings)
The Seminoles (17-7, 5-3 ACC) used just three pitchers over 13 innings, with Tyler Holton (6.1 innings, two earned runs) paving the way for Drew Carlton (3.2 innings, two hits, seven strikeouts) and Jim Voyles (three innings, one earned run, two hits).
FSU trailed 2-0 in the seventh, but tied the game on a single, four walks, a hit by pitch and a wild pitch.
After both teams went scoreless the next four innings, the Noles took a 3-2 lead in the 12th on a wild pitch, but Notre Dame hit a pair of doubles in the bottom of the frame to extend the game.
In the 13th, Jackson Lueck hit a high pop fly that shifted back into fair territory and dropped in left field, scoring Dylan Busby. After J.C. Flowers’ single, Tyler Daughtry, who hit for Matt Henderson in the ninth, blasted the first home run of his career, giving FSU a 7-3 lead. The Noles added a run in the frame to cap the scoring.
The series finale is scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 p.m. The game will stream live on the ACC Network Extra, while Eric Luallen will provide play-by-play on 106.1 FM in Tallahassee and nationwide on the FSU Gameday App.
Florida State will throw freshman Drew Parrish (2-1, 5.16 ERA), while the Fighting Irish will throw Brad Bass (1-2, 4.00 ERA).
Postgame Notes – Game One:
- Dylan Busby’s fourth inning home run was his fourth of the season and 27th of his career. All four home runs in 2017 have been with runners on base. Busby has hit a home run in all three ACC series this season. His four RBI tie a season high (Samford, 2/24).
- Cole Sands’ seven strikeouts tied his career high, which he accomplished in 5.2 innings last week at Virginia Tech. His 6.0 innings pitched tied a career-high done three times previously, including vs. Boston College this season.
- Cal Raleigh threw out Notre Dame’s first baserunner of the game, Cole Daily, trying to steal second base. On the season, Raleigh has thrown out six of 13 runners on steal attempts.
- The third inning ended with right fielder Nick Derr throwing out Jake Shepski at the plate, holding the Fighting Irish to just one run in the inning. It was just the second outfield assist for the Noles this season. The first came from Steven Wells against Samford on Feb. 24, when the right fielder double-up a Bulldog runner at second base.
- Quincy Nieporte entered the game with one double on the season, but hit two against the Fighting Irish.
- The win was FSU’s first ever at Notre Dame. The Seminoles lost all three games at Frank Eck Stadium in its first visit, in 2015.
Postgame Notes – Game Two:
- Quincy Nieporte’s single in the second inning extended his hitting streak to six, the longest active streak on the team.
- Taylor Walls walked four times in the game. He entered the weekend tied with teammate Tyler Daughtry for the national lead with 26 walks. The four walks tie a career high, done two other times, most recently on March 11 against Boston College.
- Freshman J.C. Flowers had four hits in the game, and was 5-for-7 in the doubleheader.
- It was the first extra-inning game for the Seminoles this season. FSU went 4-1 when playing extras in 2016.
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).
