FSU breaks losing streak behind Baumeister's 14 K's

The streak had to end eventually — and the Seminoles could not be more relieved.

Florida State (13-16, 4-9 ACC) was able to jump ahead of the Tigers early in Game 1 on Thursday and stay ahead as they ended their 10-game losing streak with a 5-1 win.

"Yeah, it was a relief," Head Coach Link Jarrett said when asked about the players' and coaches' reaction after the final out. "This has been very difficult. We are asking a lot out of these guys. They are giving us good effort and we are learning. These are some young guys that are filling roles — some of them for the first time at the college level. This was a tough, tough stretch ... So, yes, there was an exhale but we have to keep playing better."

From the onset, the Seminoles looked to be in control as not only did Jaime Ferrer extend his hitting streak on a two-run homer in the first but also starting pitcher Jackson Baumeister struck out six of the first nine batters he faced.

"First-pitch strikes (was the key)," Baumeister said. "I think this was the best my fastball command has been pretty much the whole year. Really just going after guys, attacking them with the fastball and then the curveball was working well tonight."

Ferrer's hitting streak is now at 20 games, which is the longest hitting streak by a Seminole since James Ramsey's streak of 24 games in 2011.

Clemson (17-14, 2-8 ACC) was unable to figure out Baumeister, as he achieved a career-high 14 strikeouts Thursday. That's the most strikeouts by a Seminole since Parker Messick's 14 strikeouts against TCU last season. Baumeister threw seven innings and relinquished only four hits and a pair of walks.

"I thought he was phenomenal," Jarrett said. "The starting pitcher provides a spark that can help the offense and I think we saw that today. The way that starting pitcher goes out and commands that first inning, it brings a dimension of confidence and a level of, 'we are in control of this game', into the dugout. That's really what a starting pitcher should do. I've seen him string it but I haven't seen him string it like he did today."

To go along with his home run in the first inning, Ferrer also had an RBI single in the third. James Tibbs hit his 10th home run of the season and Carrion contributed an RBI double to build the solid lead.

For Tibbs, he has already tied his home run total from last season.

Florida State ran into trouble in the 8th inning as a trio of FSU relievers struggled to find the plate. Jamie Arnold, Doug Kirkland and Carson Montgomery combined for four base-on-balls in a single inning compared to Baumeister's two.

The Tigers had the bases loaded with the tying run at the plate, but Montgomery was able to get the final out of the inning after relinquishing a run via a sac fly.

Montgomery found his footing in the ninth inning to close the door on not only the game but a disastrous losing streak for the Seminoles.

"These guys know what they are dealing with," Jarrett said. "This is something we desperately needed. I'm not telling you anything that you don't already know ... They are going to be excited to play tomorrow for the first time in a while."

Florida State and Clemson face off in Game 2 on Friday at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on the ACC Network Extra. Connor Whittaker will take the mound for the Seminoles.

Saturday's game has been moved up to 11 a.m. (ACC Network Extra).