Clemson vs Florida State Baseball Recap

Clemson 9, (7) Florida State 8

The Florida State Seminoles (39-14, 18-10 ACC) traveled to Clemson, South Carolina, to take on the Clemson Tigers (35-19, 16-12 ACC) for the final regular season series of the year.  While both teams have clinched a spot in the ACC tournament, which only takes the top eight teams in the conference, the Atlantic Division championship is on the line.  The Seminoles entered the series a comfortable three games ahead of the Tigers, but a Clemson sweep would leave the teams tied atop the division in the final standings. 
 
FSU starting pitcher Sean Gilmartin entered the season as the Seminoles' ace and a preseason all-American selection. The lefty showed star potential as a freshman last season and was the ‘Noles' leading returning pitcher in most major statistical categories, including wins (12), ERA (3.49), and strikeouts (83).  This year has been a disappointment for FSU’s number one pitcher, though.  Entering the game, Gilmartin was 6-6 with a 4.63 ERA.
 
The Tigers countered with their ace, junior Casey Harman, who sported a 6-2 won-loss record and a 3.98 ERA. He and Gilmartin - two southpaw starters - each lasted six innings and gave up five runs, four earned, in a back-and-forth game in which neither team led by more than two runs. 
 
Florida State missed a golden opportunity to take an early lead after loading the bases with only one out.  However, first baseman Jayce Boyd grounded into a double play to end the inning.  That would be Boyd’s one mistake, though costly, in an otherwise explosive offensive game in which he went 3 for 4 with a solo home run, three runs scored, and 2 RBIs.
 
Clemson struck first by opening the bottom of the second inning with three consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly, scoring two runs.  Gilmartin managed to escape the inning without further damage by striking out the next two batters.  Florida State struck back in the top of the third on a two-run double by Stephen Cardullo.  The Seminoles' shortstop then scored after stealing third and then scoring on a throwing error by Clemson catcher John Nester.

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FSU added to its lead on Jayce Boyd’s solo home run in the fourth to go up 4-2.  Clemson quickly scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth when a passed ball allowed Wilson Boyd to score on a fielder’s choice after a passed ball put him in scoring position. The run cut FSU's lead to 4-3.  In the bottom of the fifth, Clemson’s Brad Miller gave the Tigers a 5-4 lead on a two-run homer.  The Tigers’ DH was an outstanding 5 for 5 from the plate with four runs and 3 RBIs, leading the game in hits, runs, and RBIs.
 
After Jayce Boyd’s second homer of the game tied the score at five in the top of the sixth for FSU, the ‘Noles and Tigers traded runs in the seventh to tie the game at six going into the top of the eighth inning.  The Seminoles knocked around Clemson reliever Alex Frederick for two runs in the top of the eighth, but the Tigers were even more unkind to FSU’s Geoff Parker, handing the pitcher his first loss of the season after scoring three runs in the bottom of the eighth on six hits.  Clemson closer Thomas Cruz earned his third save of the season after retiring the only two batters he faced in the top of the ninth. 
 
The Tigers stayed in contention for the Atlantic Division championship with the win, while the Seminoles missed out on a chance to clinch the division.  Florida State will have two more opportunities to win the division outright, with games at Clemson on Friday and Saturday.  Both teams will compete in the ACC Tournament, which begins on Wednesday, May 26 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

By: John Cary
DFN Sports Guest Writer