FSU baseball bounces back with defensive win over No. 20 NC State to split series

Mother Nature was cooperative Sunday at Dick Howser Stadium.

The field was dry, the sky was blue, and there was no lightning in sight.

On Saturday, it was the complete opposite as both elements resulted in the cancellation of game two between Florida State baseball (35-10, 14-9) and North Carolina State (26-18,14-10).

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FSU returned to the field to put on a defensive clinic against N.C. State, which resulted in an 8-1 victory over the Wolfpack.

The Seminoles shut out the Wolfpack eight of the nine innings and bounced back after an 8-7 loss Friday.

The Seminoles added a pair of home runs to their seven hits and eight RBIs. Infielder Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat, and Freshman Cal Fisher added a solo home run in the bottom fourth.

Because Saturday's game was canceled, the series ended in a split.

Takeaways

Carson Dorsey is continuing to get comfortable in starting role

It was an adjustment for Dorsey as he remained in the starting rotation while Connor Whitaker and Cam Leiter remained out. A last-minute schedule change after the cancellation of Saturday's game led to Dorsey to start in game three.

Dorsey didn't play a clean game, throwing three strikeouts in 5.2 innings, but the junior hung in there enough to allow one run the whole game. Dorsey was the winning pitcher and improved to 4-2 on the season.

"I thought Dorsey had good control," Dorsey said. "I don't think his command was as sharp early in the game. Maybe when he got into the fifth and sixth innings, he started sharpening up."

Connor Hults replaced Dorsey in the sixth inning while the bases were loaded. He finished the rest of the game, leading the Seminoles with four strikeouts and his fourth save of the year. Jarrett explained his progression when given the role in the bullpen.

"I think it's his confidence and his repetitiveness," Jarrett said when asked about Hults. "He's had repetitive opportunities to go out there and bang it in there."

DeAmez Ross steps in for injured Max Williams; makes 'game-changing moment' catch

Leadoff batter Max Williams took a hit in the right arm earlier while he was at the plate. While he was sidelined, Ross' name was called at centerfield.

While FSU led 5-1 in the top sixth, N.C. St. had the bases loaded. With two outs remaining, Ross made a diving one-handed catch during a line-drive hit that closed out the inning. To Jarrett, that was the play of the game.

"It was a game-changing moment," Jarrett said after the game. "His readiness ... that guy works every single day like you have never seen somebody run in the outfield. That's his reward for how hard he works. He's such an exceptional guy."

After the game, Jarrett confirmed that Williams' x-rays were negative after the hit-by-pitch in the first inning.

Looking ahead: FSU remains second in the Atlantic Division

After splitting with the Wolfpack, the Seminoles remain in the ACC Atlantic Division. It was a signature win for the Seminoles, who are one game ahead of N.C. St. and only two games back from Clemson.

The Seminoles have eight more games left this season and two more ACC series. With only one day of rest, FSU will host Jacksonville on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before traveling to Pittsburgh this coming weekend.

"Our schedule is not easy in the middle of the week," Jarrett said. "There is no breathing room, whether it's here or on the road, it's tough."

Following the Pittsburgh series, FSU will travel to Stetson on May 14 and complete its season at home against Georgia Tech.

Up next for FSU baseball

FSU vs. Jacksonville

When/Where: Tuesday, Howser Stadium, 6 p.m.

Broadcast info: Radio (100.7FM), TV (ACCNX)

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Defensive plays led to FSU baseball to key ACC win over NC State