After an emotional win over Florida earlier in the week, Florida State sustained momentum through the weekend by completing a 3-game sweep of Pittsburgh. After winning on Friday night, the Seminoles swept a doubleheader on Saturday. The series finale at Dick Howser Stadium was originally scheduled for Sunday, but moved up due to rain in the forecast. After a 4-0 week, FSU now sits at 30-12 for the season and 14-7 in ACC play. The ‘Noles will host Stetson on Tuesday before beginning a big rivalry series against Miami in Coral Gables on Friday.
Pittsburgh 2, Florida State 15
Friday, April 17th
Chris Marconcini homered twice as he and D.J. Stewart each hit grand slams to help Florida State break the series-opener wide open. Stewart’s slam highlighted an 8-run sixth for the Seminoles. Marconcini’s came in the eight as the former Duke star finished with three hits, three runs scored and 6 RBIs. Stewart was 3-for-3 with 5 RBIs. He, Josh Delph and John Sansone each scored a pair of runs in the victory. Charles Leblanc hit a solo homer for the Panthers, who finished with just two hits. Starting pitcher Boomer Biegalski picked up the win for Florida State.
Pittsburgh 5, Florida State 6
Saturday, April 18th (Game 1 of a Doubleheader)
John Sansone’s second of two home runs — a 2-run blast — in the seventh inning put Florida State ahead 6-5 and the FSU bullpen did the rest as the Seminoles clinched the series victory. Florida State led most of the way thanks to a 3-run home run from Chris Marconcini in the first, but Charles Leblanc’s 3-run shot in the top of the 7th gave the Panthers a 5-4 lead. That lead would last only a half inning. Marconcini and Sansone each drove in three runs in the victory. Despite allowing three runs in an inning, Alec Byrd got the win while Billy Strode struck out the side in the ninth to pick up his 11th save. Pittsburgh leadoff man Jacob Wright was 2-for-3 with a run scored in the loss.
Pittsburgh 6, Florida State 10
Saturday, April 18th (Game 2 of a Doubleheader)
Freshman Drew Carlton was again outstanding for Florida State, allowing just a run on four hits in six innings to improve to 3-2 on the year. Chris Marconcini again paced the FSU offense with a home run and 3 RBIs. Pittsburgh led 1-0 into the fourth, but the Seminoles scored three runs in the frame and seven more in the fifth. Quincy Nieporte, Ben DeLuzio and John Sansone each drove in a pair of runs while Sansone and D.J. Stewart each scored twice. Boo Vazquez drove in a pair of runs for the Panthers in the loss while third baseman Ron Sherman was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
