The No. 14 FSU baseball team opened the season with a 5-1 over the JMU Dukes at Dick Hoswer Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Seminoles led from the first inning, but JMU refused to go away before FSU pulled away in the eighth inning. Cal Fisher and Hunter Carns started the inning with walks before Chase Williams loaded the bases with a perfect bunt. Brody DeLamielleure struckout for the first out of the inning before JMU made a pitching change after Link Jarrett pinch-hit Noah Sheffield, a move that did not work out for the Dukes.
JMU’s new pitcher slipped on the runner and balked in one run, giving FSU some breathing room. Sheffield took care of the rest, singling up the middle to drive in two more runs and put FSU up 5-1
Myles Bailey gave FSU a 1-0 lead in the first inning, homering on the first pitch he saw of the season. The no-doubter travelled 425 feet and easily cleared the right field fence. Brody DeLamielleure gave them some insurance with a solo homer of his own in the second inning.
Wes Mendes had a strong start for the Seminoles on the mound, pitching five shutout innings with seven strikeouts. He allowed four hits to go with one walk and a hit batter, but held JMU to just one hit with a runner on to hold them scoreless.
John Abraham replaced Mendes in the sixth inning and was quickly in trouble after a one-out walk and single put two runners in scoring position. A wild pitch allowed one run to score and put the tying run at third. Abraham was able to keep it a 2-1 game with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.
The Seminoles survived another JMU threat in the eighth inning after a two-out walk. JMU’s Kyle Langley went to steal second base and advanced to third when the throw by Hunter Carns got into the outfield. Brodie Purcell was able to end the inning with a strikeout and maintain the 2-1 lead.
FSU and JMU will return to action Saturday at 2 p.m. ET and will be streamed on the ACC Network Extra from Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles will start left-handed pitcher Trey Beard, and JMU will counter with left-hander Tyler Muscar.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: FSU baseball beats JMU in season opener
Reporting by JD McCarthy, FSU Wire / FSU Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
