⚾: Noles Drop CWS Game vs. Michigan

Box Score | FSU Quotes | Michigan Quotes | Notes

OMAHA, Neb. – Florida State (42-22) saw a complete game shutout from Tommy Henry Monday, falling 2-0 to Michigan (48-20) in the winner’s bracket game of the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park.

Box Score

“Our mentality isn’t going to change, we’ve had our backs against the wall all season,” third baseman Drew Mendoza said.

“We will be ready to go on Wednesday and get to play another day.”

Henry was dominant all night for the Wolverines, striking out 10 Seminoles and allowing just three hits, tied for FSU’s fewest in 75 College World Series games. FSU had two batters hit by a pitch and did not draw a walk for just the second time this season.

In the top of the first inning, the Wolverines struck first as Jesse Franklin homered to right field on a first pitch fastball from CJ Van Eyk (10-4) to give Michigan a 1-0 lead.

The Seminoles were quieted offensively for much of the game by Henry who gave up just one hit through the first four innings, a Mike Salvatore double to start the game. Henry retired the next 12 batters and did not give up another hit until Mat Nelson’s double with two outs in the seventh inning.

In the 5^th inning, Michigan added to their lead as three singles in the inning brought home the second run of the game against Van Eyk to make it 2-0.

Van Eyk lasted 4.2 innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs on the night. The sophomore walked two and struck out nine batters.

The Seminoles got single runners on base via hit-by-pitches in the bottom of the 5^th and 6^th innings, but weren’t able to do anything else as Henry continued to shut the door.

“He was mixing his pitches and keeping the ball at the knees all night,” Mendoza said of Henry. “He kept us off-balance and did a really good job, he deserves credit.”

Chase Haney and Jonah Scolaro were brilliant bright spots during the game in relief, giving up no hits, while striking out eight batters in a combined 4.1 innings. Overall, FSU’s pitching staff has given up just two runs in 18 innings at the College World Series.

“They’ve been giving us that lift all post-season, it’s been awesome,” Mendoza said. “They’ve given us a chance every time.

The Seminoles now face Texas Tech on Wednesday (7 PM ET, ESPN) with the loser’s season coming to an end and winner advancing to another must-win game against Michigan on Friday.

Florida State will hand the ball to Conor Grady (9-5) with the season on the line.

TEAM NOTES:

• The loss snapped FSU’s 7-game winning streak overall and 6-game NCAA Tournament winning streak. The six-game postseason winning streak is tied for the longest in Florida State history.
• FSU struck out 17 batters Monday, tied for the second-most in a nine-inning game in College World Series history.
• On the season, the Noles have 647 strikeouts pitching, the fifth-most in FSU history.
• Florida State fell to 7-2 all-time against Michigan, with both losses coming in the College World Series (1962 and 2019).
• FSU did not draw a walk against the Wolverines, just the second time this season and seventh in the past six years that FSU did not get a base on balls. FSU ranks third nationally with 375 walks on the season.

PLAYER NOTES:

• For the third time this season, CJ Van Eyk allowed a home run on the second pitch of a game. The first two times were leadoff home runs against Clemson and Georgia; FSU won those games 16-2 and 12-3, respectively.
• Mike Salvatore had two of FSU’s three hits, including a leadoff double. Salvatore’s 23 doubles are the most for a Seminole since John Sansone had 26 in 2016. His 89 hits on the year are tied for the most in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Chase Haney and Jonah Scolaro combined for eight strikeouts and did not allow a hit in 4.1 innings out of the bullpen. In seven NCAA Tournament games, Haney, Scolaro, J.C. Flowers, Clayton Kwiatkowski and Antonio Velez have allowed just eight hits and two runs, with 23 strikeouts, in 21.1 innings out of the bullpen, good for a 0.84 earned run average.
• Catcher Mat Nelson threw out his eighth base-stealer of the season. He also added a seventh inning double and has reached base in 11 straight games.

For more information on Florida State baseball, check Seminoles.com for the latest news and scheduling information, or keep up with the team on social media through Twitter (@FSUBaseball), Facebook (/FSUBaseball), and Instagram (@NoleBaseball).