FSU hits four home runs in dominant win over JMU
FSU hits four home runs in dominant win over JMU
After a poor showing on Opening Day, FSU's offense came alive in Saturday's 9-2 win over JMU. The Seminoles finished with four home runs and eight extra-base hits in the series-clinching win.
Gage Harrelson got it started in the first inning, blasting a leadoff home run to right center for his first homer as a Seminole. Max Williams made it a 3-0 game in the third inning, hitting a two-run homer to right field, another no-doubter.
That was more than enough support for Joey Volini, who had an excellent debut for FSU. The lefty allowed just two hits in 4.2 innings of work, striking out seven batters and earning the win.
The Seminoles blew the game open in the fourth inning thanks to more extra-base hits. Carter McCulley started the inning off with a double before Drew Faurot hit a two-run homer to left field. It was his second homer of the season.
Their final run of the inning came on some small ball after freshman Hunter Carns doubled off the centerfield wall. Chase Williams advanced him to third with a ground ball before Harrelson drove him in with another grounder, making it 6-0 FSU.
Volini retired the first two batters in the fifth inning before a two-out double and an error gave JMU their first run of the series. Head coach Link Jarrett called for Maison Martinez to get the final out of the inning but Carns threw the runner out when he attempted to steal second.
The Seminoles quickly got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Faurot hit a double to drive in Jaxson West. Faurot finished the game with a home run, a double, and three RBI.
Lodise kept his great day going in the sixth inning with a two-run homer to left field, making it a 9-1 game and driving in Harrelson. Lodise, a day after striking out four times, finished with three hits, two RBI, and two runs.
Martinez struck out the first two batters he faced in the sixth inning before allowing a two-out single and ending the inning with a lineout. His day was done after that as Jarrett called for Peyton Prescott to start the seventh inning.
He retired the first seven batters he faced before the Dukes hit back-to-back singles and drew a walk to load the bases with one out in the ninth inning. Chris Knier came into close that game out and while he walked the first batter, he got an inning double-play one batter later to win 9-2.
Up Next for FSU
The Seminoles and Dukes will return to action on Sunday for the series finale, the game is set to start at noon p.m. ET and will be on ACC Network Extra. FSU will start Wes Mendes on the mound and JMU will counter with Todd Mozoki
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