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Florida State outlasts UNC in CWS elimination game, setting up rematch with Tennessee
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida State remains alive in the College World Series. The Seminoles fought off elimination a second time, defeating North Carolina 9-5 to set up a Wednesday rematch with Tennessee.
Connor Hults was the game’s winning pitcher. Link Jarrett went with Andrew Armstrong (4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) as FSU’s starter and then turned to Conner Whittaker (0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB).
After Whittaker faced 5 batters, it was time for Hults. UNC put a 4 spot on the board in the 5th inning before Hults entered the game. He recorded the third out of the inning to protect FSU’s 7-5 lead.
Over the next 4 innings, Hults would allow just 2 hits. He struck out 2 and walked 1, forcing 8 ground outs against 15 batters faced.
Big time pickoff from Connor Hults, followed by a K
Headed to the 8th
T8 | FSU 7, UNC 5 pic.twitter.com/KCToKBSjyQ
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) June 18, 2024
Catcher Jaxson West led a 14-hit day for the Noles with 4 knocks of his own, including a solo home run in the 9th inning to provide some insurance.
Seminoles extended early lead with big inning, held on as UNC clawed back
Florida State broke the scoring ice in the top of the 2nd inning when Drew Faurot singled to plate Jaime Ferrer.
.@DrewFaurot hit brings @Ferrer1227 home❗️#MCWS x @FSUBaseball pic.twitter.com/VNcUo2h7pE
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 18, 2024
The Noles loaded them up in the top of the 3rd. Ferrer drew a basesloaded walk to make it 2-0. Cantu hit a sac fly to plate Tibbs, extending the lead to 3-0.
.@FSUBaseball tacks on another #MCWS x ESPN pic.twitter.com/ay58FZSjrR
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 18, 2024
Carolina finally got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd with an RBI double from Casey Cook to plate Vance Honeycutt.
Perfect placement from @Caseycook_2 #MCWS x ESPN / @DiamondHeels pic.twitter.com/EJKNQAEfks
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 18, 2024
FSU turned its 3-1 lead into a 7-1 advantage with a 4-run inning in the top of the 5th. The Seminoles got RBI singles from Daniel Cantu, Alex Lordise, Jaxson West and Max Williams.
.@FSUBaseball adds 4 RUNS in the top of 5th!#MCWS x ESPN pic.twitter.com/hI1Z9JKoKl
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 18, 2024
Honeycutt and the Tar Heels, though, weren’t ready to roll over. The UNC star got the Heels back in it with a 3-run home run to left field, cutting it to 7-4.
No surprise here @HoneycuttVance #MCWS x ESPN / @DiamondHeels pic.twitter.com/u9goCA9Xai
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 18, 2024
UNC scored its fourth run of the inning off a Jackson Van De Brake RBI single, further cutting it to 7-5.
It remained a 7-5 game for the next three innings. The Noles picked up some insurance in the top of the 9th inning with back-to-back solo homers from Jaxson West and Max Williams, extending the lead to 9-5, the game’s final score.
Back-to-Back Jacks in the 9th!!!!
It’s been the Jax & Max show and they both come thru in the 9th
T9 | FSU 9, UNC 5 pic.twitter.com/O5Jqpcc8WQ
— FSU Baseball (@FSUBaseball) June 18, 2024
Carolina used six pitchers in the game. Starter Aidan Haugh (2.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) was the game’s losing pitcher.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.