Grady, Salvatore lead FSU to Super Regionals

Published June 20, 2019

Reese Albert combined with Mike Salvatore and Drew Mendoza for six of FSU’s hits against Georgia.
Photo special to the Outlook

Special to the Outlook

Behind Regional MVP Mike Salvatore’s two hits, including his 22nd double of the season, FSU pounded Georgia’s pitchers to the tune of 10 hits and drew seven walks, while the Bulldogs normally strong defense committed a season-high three errors.

FSU pounded the Bulldogs 10-1 Sunday to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.

Salvatore, Reese Albert and Drew Mendoza combined for six hits, seven runs scored and six RBI with three doubles and a home run at the top of the Seminole lineup.

On the mound, Conor Grady (9-5) threw the best game of the his Seminole career, tying a career-high with seven innings pitched, allowing just six hits and a run and striking out three batters.

The Seminoles picked up right where they left off on Saturday night as Salvatore ripped the second pitch of the game into left field for a single.

Albert followed and drove a Cole Wilcox (3-2) offering the opposite way over the wall in left field for a two-run shot, giving FSU the early 2-0 lead. For Albert it was his seventh blast of the season and second of the Athens Regional.

In the third inning, the Seminoles added to their lead as Albert walked and Mendoza doubled off the glove of the third baseman. On the play, the ball was thrown away back into the infield, allowing Albert to score and Mendoza to race to third. Two batters later, Mat Nelson grounded out to bring Mendoza home and make it 4-0 for FSU.

FSU added another run in the fourth inning after both Tim Becker and Salvatore worked walks with two outs. Albert was the hero again in the frame as he delivered an RBI single up the middle extending the lead to 5-0.

In the sixth inning, the Seminoles kept flexing their bats as Nander De Sedas reached on an error and Carter Smith singled to right field. With one out, Salvatore displayed his veteran leadership with a double to the gap in left-center scoring both runners.

With a 7-0 lead, Mendoza continued the onslaught as he doubled to right-center field to score Salvatore and Martin followed with a single to center field to score Mendoza, pushing the FSU lead to 9-0.

In the bottom of the inning Tucker Maxwell hit a solo home run to right field to put the Bulldogs on the board against Grady.

The Seminoles added another run for good measure in the 8th inning as Robby Martin hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Salvatore and pushing the lead to 10-1.

Nander De Sedas added two hits in the seven-hole for Florida State and had six for the regional. Six Noles, led by Salvatore’s .643 average, hit .385 or better for the weekend.

The Seminoles will await its Super Regional opponent out of the Baton Rouge regional.

ALL-REGIONAL TEAM:

Most Outstanding Player: Mike Salvatore, FSU

P CJ Van Eyk, Florida State, Soph.

P Tim Elliott, Georgia, Jr.

C Pedro Pages, Florida Atlantic, Jr.

DH Drew Mendoza, Florida State, Jr.

1B Carter Smith, Florida State, Jr.

2B Nander De Sedas, Florida State, Fr.

3B Aaron Schunk, Georgia, Jr.

SS Mike Salvatore, Florida State, Sr.

OF Tucker Maxwell, Georgia, Jr.