Florida State faced a five-run deficit before the Seminoles even came to the plate.

In the first 10 games of the season, FSU had often struggled to put together big nights at the plate. But on Tuesday, the Seminoles needed it — and got a walk-off hit in the ninth to win it, too.

Eli Putnam had an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, scoring Hunter Carns, as FSU defeated Jacksonville 7-6.

Carns had led off the inning with a double. After Carter McCulley drew a walk, a balk advanced the runners into scoring position. John Stuetzer was intentionallly walked before Putnam’s 0-2 single to left-center field.

FSU (9-2) began what will be a busy week with a second midweek game vs. Mercer and weekend series against Northern Kentucky.

Brody DeLamielleure had a solo home run and an RBI double in his first game back after missing last weekend’s series while in the concussion protocol. Stuetzer had an RBI double and brought home another run with a bunt single.

Carns went 2 for 5 with a pair of doubles.

FSU turned to Rhett Vaughn to start, but he gave up five earned runs and didn’t make it out of the first inning.

But FSU’s next four pitchers — Kevin Mebil, Gabe Nard, Cade O’Leary and John Abraham — had 12 strikeouts and allowed just one run, although they did give up five walks and four hits. Mebil tossed 2.2 shutout innings, Nard threw two shutout innings, O’Leary allowed a run in the seventh but did have three strikeouts in 1.1 innings and Abraham finished with 2.2 shutout innings.

Abraham (1-0) recorded six strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter, scattering two hits. He gave up a one-out triple in the eighth, but Abraham then recorded a strikeout and induced a groundout.

The Seminoles re-introduced throwback uniforms that players and coaches will wear on various midweek games this spring.

Up next

FSU plays host to Mercer on Wednesday at 5 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).

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