Seminoles rally for 4-2 win in opener against Youngstown State
Box Score: FSU 4, Youngstown State 2
Junior pitcher Antonio Velez (2-0) pitched four shutout innings and Drew Mendoza and Nander De Sedas launched two-run home runs to lead Florida State (5-0) to a 4-2 win over Youngstown State (0-4) Friday evening.
Youngstown State took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on Blaze Glenn’s second home run of the season. It was the first hit Parrish allowed this season after combining for a no-hitter on Opening Day.
Parrish left after 4.0 innings, allowing two runs and two hits while striking out seven. Velez entered and surrendered two hits in four innings while J.C. Flowers earned the first save of his career, facing the minimum in the ninth inning.
Mendoza’s two-run home run off Grant Kersh tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Penguin starter Colin Clark allowed just five hits and a walk in 5.1 innings before leaving after hitting Reese Albert with a pitch. Mendoza cranked Kersh’s second and final pitch of the game over the right field wall to tie the game at 2-2.
De Sedas’s home run off Travis Perry (0-1) in the seventh inning was the first of the freshman’s career. The home run came on a full count and scored Flowers, who reached on a bunt single.
FSU pitching faced the minimum over the final four innings.
Noteworthy
Freshman catcher Mat Nelson recorded the first hit of his career in the fifth inning, a double down the left-field line. He also picked off a runner in the top of the ninth inning, the first of his career.Mendoza’s home run was the 18th of his career, a team-high. FSU finished with eight hits and freshman Elijah Cabell was the only player with two.Florida State struck out 11 batters; at the plate, the Seminoles K’d just five times.
Up Next
Florida State and Youngstown State close the series with a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. RHP CJ Van Eyk (1-0, 3.60 ERA) and LHP Austin Pollock (0-0, 12.27 ERA) will pitch for the Seminoles.
The Penguins will counter with RHPs Jon Snyder (0-1, 9.00 ERA) and Chad Coles (0-1, 31.50 ERA).