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TALLAHASSEE, FLA. – Florida State scored five runs in the fourth inning, three runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth inning to defeat No. 13 Clemson 16-2 at Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Seminoles, who took a 2-0 lead in the series, improved to 21-13 overall and 9-8 in the ACC. The Tigers fell to 25-10 overall and 11-6 in ACC play. Clemson had won its previous seven ACC road series, including the first two of 2019.
Sam Hall led off the game with a homer, his fourth of the season. Florida State broke through with five runs in the fourth inning, keyed by solo homers by Cooper Swanson and J.C. Flowers along with run-scoring singles by Matheu Nelson and Mike Salvatore. Flowers blasted another homer in the fifth inning, this time a three-run long ball, then Florida State added four runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Salvatore’s leadoff home run. Bryar Hawkins led off the top of the seventh inning with a homer, his fourth of the season, then Florida State added a run in the bottom of the seventh inning and three runs in the eighth inning.
Seminole starter CJ Van Eyk (4-3) earned the win, as he allowed just four hits, two runs and one walk with four strikeouts in a career-long 8.0 innings pitched. Mat Clark (7-1) suffered his first career loss, as he yielded four hits, five runs and three walks with four strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.
It marked the first time Clemson lost back-to-back games since April 13,14, 2018, when it lost consecutive games against Miami (Fla.). The Tigers had been 15-0 in games following a loss since the loss against the Hurricanes on April 14, 2018.
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPNews.
Photos by Brian Hennessy
