Florida State baseball shuts out Notre Dame for game one win

Florida State scored seven runs in the sixth inning to pick up a a run ruled game one victory over Notre Dame. Wes Mendes threw six scoreless and the FSU offense scored 11 runs on 13 hits to pickup the 11-0 win.

The Seminoles came out swinging to start game one with the Fighting Irish. Starter Wes Mendes struck out the side and the FSU offense hung two runs in the bottom of the frame. Brayden Dowd and Chase Williams picked up back-to-back singles before being driven in on a one-out double by Nathan Cmeyla.

Florida State and Notre Dame were both kept off the board in the second and third. After Mendes worked around a hit by pitch in the top of the fourth, FSU’s offense recorded a second two run frame. Carter McCulley picked up a one out single before a Dowd walk. Williams laid down a bunt that was thrown away by Notre Dame pitcher Xavier Hirsch. The error scored both Seminoles and landed Williams at third. The Seminoles were unable to bring Chase home for run number five.

Mendes escaped trouble in the fifth after allowing a one out walk. A Cal Fisher error put two men on but Wendes bounced back with two quick outs to end the threat. FSU left one man stranded in the bottom of the inning and Mendes fanned two more to end the top of the sixth. His final line: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K, 2 BB.

FSU broke the game open in their half of the sixth scoring seven runs. McCulley started the inning off with a walk before Dowd popped out. Williams singled and Hunter Carns reached on a fielder’s choice. With two outs, the Seminoles offense erupted. Cmeyla singled for his third RBI of the game before John Stuetzer belted a three run shot to center field, his fifth home run of the season. Fisher and Gabe Fraser singled back-to-back and then Eli Putnam connected for the second three run home run of the inning. McCulley finally ended the inning but the damage was done, FSU had pushed their lead to 11.

Brodie Purcell took the mound in the seventh and allowed a lead off double. After a pop out, Notre Dame singled to put runners on the corners but Purcell fanned the next two batters to secure the game one victory, 11-0.