TALLAHASSEE, Florida – Behind seven extra-base hits – including three home runs – and 5.0 shutout innings from Andrew Armstrong, Florida State beat Mercer 13-3 in eight innings Sunday afternoon to complete the series sweep.
The Seminoles never looked back after scoring five runs on five hits in the first inning, all with two outs. Every Seminole starter had a hit against Mercer, led by James Tibbs’ 3-for-3 performance with two doubles and two walks. Tibbs now leads FSU with a .341 batting average, 51 runs and 39 walks.
Titan Kamaka also had three hits to match his career high, and his three RBI and three runs were a career high. Kamaka hit his second home run of the weekend and got FSU on the board with a two-run single in the first inning; he is the sixth different Seminole this year with at least three hits, runs and RBI in a game.
Colton Vincent had three hits and three RBI – including his second career home run – while Cam Smith hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning. Smith’s 12 home runs match Ryne Malone in 2004 for the most by Seminole freshman over the last 20 years.
After Mercer cut the deficit to 5-2 with a home run in the second inning, Armstrong (2-3) entered in relief and allowed just two hits with five strikeouts over a career-best 5.0 innings. Both batters to reach after the second inning were retired on double plays.
FSU scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, with McGwire Holbrook’s walk-off single scoring Kamaka to end the game.
The sweep was FSU’s second of the season and first since opening with a sweep of James Madison in mid-February.
SCORING SUMMARY:
B1 | MER 0, FSU 2 Kamaka singled, Tibbs & Smith scored
B1 | MER 0, FSU 4 Vincent singled, Rank scored; Kamaka scored on throwing error
B1 | MER 0, FSU 5 Holbrook doubled, Vincent scored
T2 | MER 2, FSU 5 Cherry home run, Frye scored
B3 | MER 2, FSU 6 Vincent home run
B5 | MER 2, FSU 7 Kamaka home run
B6 | MER 2, FSU 10 Smith home run, Ferrer & Tibbs scored
B7 | MER 2, FSU 11 Ross singled, De Sedas scored
T8 | MER 3, FSU 11 Frye sacrifice fly, Brown scored
B8 | MER 3, FSU 12 Vincent singled, Rank scored
B8 | MER 3, FSU 13 Holbrook singled, Kamaka scored
UP NEXT:
Tuesday, 6:00 PM vs. Jacksonville – ACCNX – $2 Tuesday
Friday, 6:00 PM vs. No. 2 Wake Forest – ACCNX
OF NOTE:
- Florida State scored five runs in the first inning for the second time this week, its most in an opening inning this year. All nine FSU players had at least one hit.
- In his 100th career start, Colton Vincent was 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. He hit his second home run of the season and has doubled his extra-base hits from 2022 (six to 12).
- James Tibbs was 3-for-3 with two doubles (12 on season) and two walks. He now leads FSU with a .341 batting average, 51 runs and 39 walks. He has reached safely in 12 straight games.
- Titan Kamaka extended his hitting streak to four games – a career long – with a two-run single in the first inning. He finished with three hits, three runs and three RBI – the sixth different Seminole with that stat line, the most in a season for the Noles since 2009.
- Treyton Rank singled in the first inning, extending his hitting streak to a career-long six games. He finished with eight hits in the series against Mercer, improving his batting average from .268 to .
- DeAmez Ross and Jaime Ferrer singled in the second inning, extending their hitting streaks to a team-long nine games. Ross’s streak is the longest of his career, while Ferrer has reached safely in 16 straight games, tops on the team.
- Andrew Armstrong made his 29th pitching appearance, pitching a career-high 5.0 innings. He allowed two hits and struck out five, and both batters to reach base after the third inning were retired on double plays.
- Florida State turned two double plays and now has 36 on the year. FSU has 10 games with multiple double plays.
For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, and keep up with the team on social media through Twitter and Facebook (@FSUBaseball) & Instagram (@NoleBaseball).
