Florida State baseball was shut out for the second time this season, falling to Cal 5-0 in game two of the West Coast ACC series.
The No. 3 Seminoles (35-11, 15-8 ACC) remain in first place of the conference standings, but the gap between second-place North Carolina State and FSU is trimmed and makes Sunday’s series finale crucial for both teams.
The Wolfpack face a rubber match against North Carolina, who the Seminoles face next weekend.
Joey Volini struggled on the mound in the five innings he pitched. He allowed seven hits, the second most of the season, and five earned runs, while issuing three walks and striking out three.
After a solo home run from Ryan Tayman in the third inning, a four-run fifth inning blew the game open for Cal.
Volini walked a pair of batters before an RBI single scored a run, before a wild pitch that nearly ran into the Seminoles’ dugout scored a Golden Bears baserunner from second base. Cal’s Dominic Smaldino hit a two-run home run to score the final two runs of the fifth inning.
John Abraham came in and threw three innings of hitless relief for the Seminoles. He struck out five and issued two walks in his relief appearance.
The Seminoles had six singles in the game and let six runners on base. The win for Cal ends a run of 14 straight conference losses.
The rubber match between FSU and Cal is set for 4 p.m. on May 11.
How to watch FSU baseball vs. Cal
FSU vs. Cal
When: Friday, May 9, 9 p.m. / Saturday, May 10, 5 p.m. / Sunday, May 11, 4 p.m.
Where: Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium | Berkeley, California
Watch: ACC Network Extra / WFLA 100.7 FM
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: No. 3 Florida State baseball shutout for second time this season in loss to Cal
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
