Becoming the all-time "winningest" coach in college baseball history last season was the accomplishment of a lifetime for legendary Florida State head coach Mike Martin.
But this one is very special, as well.
With a 5-2 victory Saturday afternoon, Martin became the first coach to ever win 2,000 games -- not only in college baseball, but in any college sport.
"It's exhilarating," Martin said in his postgame press conference. "I mean, to say, 'Hey, what's the big deal?' Dad-gum man, you've got to coach a long time ...
"It was a special day. Special memories."
Martin came into the weekend needing two victories, and he got the first one with a walk-off 9-8 win Friday night. Then after dropping the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, 6-0, the Seminoles rallied for the historic win in the nightcap.
With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning, junior Drew Mendoza drove in freshman Nander De Sedas with an RBI single to give Florida State a 3-2 lead. Freshman Elijah Cabell then drove in another run to make it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly to deep center field.
Outfielder/relief pitcher J.C. Flowers then blasted a solo home run in the eight to give the Seminoles an insurance run.
"That's something we'll always remember for the rest of our lives," said Flowers, who also pitched the final two innings to record the save. "Just to be a part of some history like that. It's a very special moment."
Said Mendoza: "Any time you have a coach that's getting banners printed out for him on the field after games, it's incredibly special. And we'll remember this one."
With the win, FSU improves to 13-1 on the season and 2-1 in ACC play.
When asked where this ranked among his other 1,999 victories, Martin said it was huge -- but mostly because it gave the Seminoles an ACC series victory.
"It was big because it put us where we need to be in the conference," Martin said.
FSU returns to action Tuesday at rival Florida (6:30 p.m., SEC Network). Martin said sophomore right-hander Conor Grady will get the start on the mound.
