Florida State trailed by five runs going into the bottom of the eighth. And then the Seminoles, who hadn’t been able to string hits together, played Home Run Derby.
John Stuetzer and Brayden Dowd added solo home runs in the eighth, with Eli Putnam following in the ninth with a massive pinch-hit two-run homer to tie the game up at 6-6. Putnam’s shot, which measured at 400 feet to right field and got out of the park in a hurry, touched off a wild celebration inside Dick Howser Stadium.
That set up some drama in the 10th: Chris Knier pitched a 1-2-3 top of the inning before Brody DeLamielleure led off with a single. Pinch runner Chase Williams took second on a wild pitch but took off early and was thrown out by a wide margin at third. Nathan Cmeyla walked with two outs but was caught stealing at second.
Which set up drama in the 11th: Knier struck out the side in the top of the inning. Ben Barrett had a one-out infield single, and Putnam slapped a single to center that sent a hustling Barrett sliding into third. Stuetzer was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Dowd then drew a four-pitch walk as FSU, literally, walked off Miami for the 7-6 win.
Putnam was benched and replaced by Barrett at first base for the Clemson series. But coach Link Jarrett gave him notice late in the game on Thursday that Putnam should get ready to pinch hit.
“That was pretty special. That's the culmination of a lot of hard work,” Putnam said. “Some ups and downs this season. That one was pretty special. I'll probably never forget that.”
Chris Knier (4-0) tossed two shutout innings, following up Kevin Mebil’s three shutout innings as FSU’s bullpen gave the team chances to rally.
The Seminoles (37-15, 18-10) need to take two games of the series (or sweep) to make an argument that they are worthy of a top-8 national seed. FSU has won seven ACC weekend series, but the midweek losses to Florida and sweeps at the hands of Georgia Tech and Stanford are also on the resume.
With the win, FSU secures at worst the No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament next week.
Miami drops to 35-16, 15-13.
Wes Mendes pitched six innings. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits and no walks, although he hit a batter.
After Cade O’Leary gave up a hit, walk and hit a batter, Mebil and Knier were lights out.
Miami pieced together a big inning in the fourth. Derek Williams singled to lead off, a ball that went off Cal Fisher’s glove and into left field. Alex Sosa followed with a single and Alonzo Alvarez delivered a no-doubt three-run homer. Dylan Dubovik then had a double before advancing to third on a sac bunt. Gabriel Milano hit into a fielder’s choice, with first baseman Ben Barrett’s throw to the right of catcher Nathan Cmeyla as Dubovik scored.
FSU stranded two runners in the fourth. An inning later, Ben Barrett and Carter McCulley hit back-to-back singles, and Cal Fisher’s sacrifice bunt put the runners in scoring position. But Stuetzer struck out swinging and Brayden Dowd grounded out to end the threat.
Up next
FSU plays host to Miami on Friday at 6 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).
Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a $15 gift card at the Osceola’s merch store.
