Florida State 8, Boston College 4: Seminoles Sweep Eagles

Florida State scored four runs in the fourth inning and another four runs in the fifth inning to score a third victory and sweep of ACC Atlantic Division rival Boston College on Sunday afternoon.

Boston College jumped out to an early 2-0 lead by scoring a couple of runs in the second but couldn't hold on through the second time through the order. In that inning, Joe Cronin led off with a walk and scored from first when Donovan Casey doubled down the left field line. Two batters later, Casey advanced to third via a balk by starting FSU pitcher Cobi Johnson and scored when Steve Sauter singled to left center. Johnny Adams grounded into Baseball's Sad Lexicon to end the inning, retired via a 6-4-3, Tinkers-to-Evers-to-Chance double play.

It was all BC would score as Florida State's offense roared to life in the bottom of the fourth against starting pitcher Justin Dunn. After DJ Stewart led off with a walk, John Sansone ripped a double off the wall in left field. Stewart advanced to third, putting runners on second and third with nobody out in the inning. That allowed Gage West to single through the right side, scoring both runners and tying the game.

Dunn retired a 4-3 double play when Dylan Busby hit a ground ball right into the base runner's path that was fielded by Blake Butera, but the inning continued as Dunn put both John Delph and Ben DeLuzio on base via a walk. That allowed #9 hitter Danny De La Calle, the team's starting catcher, to single through the hole to center and score Delph. Up 3-2, the Seminoles picked up a fourth run when Delph scored on a pitch Steve Sauter couldn't handle behind the plate.

After BC went down in order in the fifth, Dunn was brought out to start the fifth inning. He walked Taylor Walls to lead things off, then surrendered a single to Darren Miller to put runners at first and second with nobody out. DJ Stewart fisted a swing into center field for the first out, but it allowed enough time for reliever Luke Fernandes to be ready in the bullpen. Mike Gambino made the call for Fernandes, who came in for Dunn to face John Sansone.

Sansone flew out for the second out, but Gage West singled to center, scoring Walls and putting FSU up 5-2. Miller moved up to third, but it was a moot point when Dylan Busby hit a shot to left that slammed the scoreboard above the wall. The three-run homer put FSU up big, 8-2, and all but sealed the deal on the game.

To their credit, BC didn't go away despite being down six runs, getting one back in the top of the sixth. With two out, Chris Shaw and Michael Strem both singled to put two runners on. Shaw scored from second when Cronin doubled to left. Strem, who advanced to third, was stranded when Donovan Casey lined out to shortstop.

The Eagles recovered one more run in the ninth on a couple more base hits. Casey and Logan Hoggarth recorded back-to-back singles to start the inning, then moved up a bag apiece two batters later when FSU pitcher Derek Vail threw a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Nick Colucci grounded to first, and the Seminoles conceded the run, allowing Casey to cross the plate and cut the lead to 8-4. At that point, though, there were already two out, and Jake Palomaki grounded out to second to end the game.

Dunn (2-1) lasted 4.1 innings on the hill, struggling to get through that fourth inning before starting the fifth. He ended up charged with five earned of the six runs allowed on four hits. He dealt with some control issues, walking six while striking out five. He induced just four ground ball outs.

Luke Fernandes finished off the fifth but not before giving up two runs on three hits, with Nick Poore and John Nicklas going two and one innings respectively. They both struck out one batter and didn't walk anyone.

Cobi Johnson (2-1) didn't pitch great in comparison to the first two starters of the weekend, but he did enough to pick up the win. He lasted 5.2 innings, surrendering three runs (all earned) on five hits. He also had some control issues, walking three while striking out five. When pitching to contact, he surrendered seven fly ball outs compared to three via the ground.

Relief pitching contributed 3.1 innings for the Seminoles, scattering one run on five hits and three strikeouts.

At the dish, Chris Shaw went 1-for-4 to extend his streak of reaching base to 35 games. He also scored a run. Joe Cronin went 1-for-3 wiht a run scored and an RBI, while Donovan Casey went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Steve Sauter and Nick Colucci both registered an RBI, and Michael Strem strung together two hits for the Eagle. Logan Hoggarth also had a multi-hit game.

Boston College (5-9, 0-3 ACC) returns home for a week of practice after a long week in Florida. Although winless in the league, the road doesn't get any easier next weekend when they head back on the road for a three-game series with Louisville. It'll be the first meeting between the two as ACC Atlantic Division foes, and it'll be a tall order against a Cardinals team ranking among the national power houses.

The Seminoles (13-3, 3-0 ACC) will play a midweek series against Central Florida before hosting Wake Forest over the weekend in a continuation of conference play.