BC Starts ACC Season with Win at No. 2/3 Florida State

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BC BASEBALL Starts ACC Season with Win at No. 2/3 Florida State
Stevens enters BC’s career record books first in ERA

Box Score (PDF) | Photo Gallery | Postgame Interviews (VIDEO)

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Boston College 8, No. 2/3 Florida State 5
Records: Boston College (6-6, 1-0 ACC) at Florida State (11-3, 0-1 ACC)
Location: Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla.
Series: BC leads the series, 1-0.

BC HIGHLIGHTS

Sophomore right-handed Jacob Stevens allowed just two runs in his six-inning start. He gave up four hits, five walks and struck out five. With 100 career innings pitched, Stevens is now eligible to rank in BC record books. He is currently first overall with a 2.34 career ERA.

Junior Donovan Casey went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored and two walks. He also picked up his first save of the season – second of his career – pitching a 123 ninth and striking out the final out looking. He extended his on-base streak to 11 games.

Senior Michael Strem and junior Mitch Bigras also tallied two RBIs with 2-for-4 nights. Strem has also reached base in the last 11 games and doubled in the ninth for the 50^th of his career, fourth all-time at BC.

Sophomore Jake Alu scored a career-high three runs on a 2-for-5 day. He also pitched a scoreless inning of relief, allowing just one hit with one walk.

KEY PLAYS

The Eagles jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the third and when the Seminoles threatened in the bottom of the inning, scoring two, BC got out of the inning with one of four double plays.

FSU cut the lead to two in the seventh but with runners on second and third and two outs, junior left-hand reliever Carmen Giampetruzzi got pinch hitter Kyle Cavanaugh looking to get out of the inning and preserve the BC lead.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Eagles jumped out to a 5-0 lead on six hits and a FSU error in the third. Junior Anthony Maselli led off with a base hit, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. He scored on wild pitch. Junior Jake Palomaki and Alu tallied back-to-back singles and Palomaki advanced to third on a bad throw by the FSU shortstop. Strem drove him in with a single through the left side. Casey followed with a base hit through the right side before sophomore Gian Martellini doubled to left to score another BC run. Bigras grounded one to short to bring in Casey for the fifth run of the inning.

The Seminoles got two back in the bottom of the inning. Taylor Walls was hit by a pitch and Dylan Busby cut into the BC lead with a home run over the left-field wall. Stevens came back with a strikeout and after walking a batter, the Eagles got out of the inning with a 643 double play.

The Eagles added two more in the seventh with new pitcher RHP Steven Wells on the mound. Palomaki led off the inning with a double to left. Alu reached on a fielding error by FSU second baseman Matt Henderson and advanced to second on the throw home to put Eagles on second and third. The Noles intentionally walked Strem to load the bases but Casey made them pay with a base hit to left, scoring Palomaki. RHP Jim Voyles came in from the bullpen and got a strikeout before Bigras hit a sac fly to make it a 7-2 game.

Florida State scored three in the bottom of the seventh. Sophomore RHP Jack Nelson got a strikeout to start the inning but gave up a two-run shot to Walls. After hitting a batter, Nelson was replaced by Giampetruzzi. The lefty got a strikeout looking for the second out before allowing back-to-back hits to make it a 7-5 game. With runners on second and third, he got out of the jam with another K looking.

The Eagles added a run in the ninth before Casey shut the door. Alu led off with a base hit up the middle and advance to second on a wild pitch. Strem drove him in with a double to left. After Casey walked, LHP Grant Stewart struck out the next three BC batters to end the inning. Casey tallied a 123 ninth and ended the game with a strikeout looking.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

The victory marked the first road win for the Eagles in the 2017 season.

The win was also the first for the Eagles over the Noles since 2012, snapping an 11-game win streak by FSU. It was also the first win for BC in Tallahassee since 2009 and the first under seven-year head coach Mike Gambino.

The Eagles are 3-0 when tallied at least 10 hits in a game.

The four double plays turned by the BC defense were the most since turning four at Wake Forest on April 4, 2015

The three runs allowed by Nelson were the first on the season for the right-hander.

NEXT UP
The Eagles and Seminoles return to action for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 11 starting at 1 p.m. Sunday’s game was moved due to predicted bad weather. Both games will be on ACC Network Extra and the WatchESPN app.