TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ben DeLuzio’s eighth inning, two-run triple down the right field line proved to be the difference as the eighth-ranked Florida State (30-13) posted a 6-1 victory over Bowling Green (16-29) in the series opener Friday evening.
DeLuzio, who broke the 1-1 tie on his first triple of the season, finished 2-for-4 from the plate and tied John Sansone (2-5, 2 doubles) with a team-high two RBI. Quincy Nieporte (1-4) recorded his 13th RBI in the last seven games when he drove in Cal Raleigh on a double in the eighth inning.
“We were just trying to get something going in the eighth and Cal Raleigh did a good job of starting it with the double to right,” said DeLuzio. “That got the ball rolling for sure. Devin Daugherty threw me a slider away and I stayed on top of it and pushed it down the right field line.”
Ed Voyles (1-1) became the 10th different FSU pitcher with a victory this season after holding the Falcons to two hits and one walk in 3.1 innings of relief of starter Mike Compton. Tyler Warmoth preserved the win in the ninth by striking out two Bowling Green hitters.
“We had a lot of big hits tonight, especially DeLuzio’s, but let’s don’t forget Raleigh with the leadoff double,” said head coach Mike Martin. “We needed to get this win and hopefully we can come out tomorrow and play better defensively. Ed Voyles was spot on for us tonight, giving us a big lift on the mound, by giving us a chance to win at home.
Bowling Green broke the scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Justin Mott reached base on a single into centerfield. Mott eventually moved to third, following a fielder’s choice and a grounder to first, before a single to third base by Matt Smith provided the Falcons with the 1-0 advantage.
Raleigh keyed a six-run eighth inning for the Seminoles when he opened the frame with a leadoff double off the right field wall. Nieporte scored the freshman backstop on a double into right centerfield, knotting the game at 1-1. Two batters later, with pinch runner Jackson Lueck at second and Dylan Busby at first, DeLuzio connected on his 11thextra base hit of the season to give FSU the 3-1 advantage.
DeLuzio quickly stretched the lead to three when he sped home on a passed ball with Steven Wells Jr. at the plate. A series of walks put both Wells and Donovan Petrey on base for Sansone, who responded with a two-RBI double into centerfield that made for the 6-1 final.
Drew Carlton (5-2, 4.42 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Seminoles on Saturday evening. Carlton is looking for consecutive victories after an 11-2 triumph over Clemson, where he hurled seven innings and allowed six hits and one earned run. Meanwhile, Bowling Green will start right hander Zac Carey, who owns a 3-7 record and 5.52 ERA.
The game is being broadcast on www.seminoles.com with commentary from Shawn Davison (play-by-play) and Matt McMahon (color).
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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