DJ Stewart got things going for Florida State with a two-run homer in the first inning.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- No. 19 Florida State (9-3) used an offensive surge to take down in-state rival USF (6-5-1), winning 24-1 Tuesday afternoon on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.
The 24 runs marked the highest scoring output for the Seminoles since the 2009 NCAA Regional against Ohio State, a game in which FSU scored 37 runs. It was the widest margin of victory in the series with USF since April 26, 1980, when FSU won 17-0 in Tallahassee. The Noles scored the most runs in the series since scoring 18 on March 14, 2000.
“I did not see that coming but it was a ball game that we played extremely well,” coach Mike Martin said.
“I can’t tell you what it means to see a zero in that last column, that’s the one that I look at first and we did a good job. Our young men played the game right, they played the game hard; maybe we deserved a game like this, we’ve played close games all year long. But we have to be ready to go tomorrow.”
FSU was led by DJ Stewart, who went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored and a walk. The team also received notable contributions from John Sansone (one home run and four RBI), Hank Truluck (four RBI, two doubles) and Gage West (3 RBI).
Not to be outdone by the offense, the pitching staff gave up only one run for the third consecutive game. Freshman Drew Carlton (1-0) got the win, pitching five innings and allowing no runs on five hits and striking out five as the right hander made his first career start on Tuesday.
“I can’t tell you how impressed I was with him,” said Martin of Carlton.
“I thought his mound presence was that of a junior. He reminded me a lot of Mike Compton as a freshman, the way he was dealing to both sides of the plate. For him to go out there and go 5.0 scoreless, I didn’t expect that, but I did want to see him go 5.0 and we got that out of Drew tonight.”
“I was definitely nervous at first being a freshman and getting my first start but as soon as I got out there and threw my bullpen, I felt good,” added Carlton. “I was able to locate the ball well and just everything went my way tonight.”
Relievers Alex Deise, Andy Ward, Derek Vail and Will Zirzow each pitched an inning, combing to give up four hits and one run through four innings.
“We were able to use four other guys tonight and they pitched well too,” said Martin on the ability to go deep in the bullpen on Tuesday. “It was nice to see everyone play tonight.”
