Big fourth inning sinks No. 16 Virginia at Florida State

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Florida State (4-4, 2-3 ACC) put together a five-run fourth inning as part of a 9-4, series-clinching win over No. 16 Virginia (5-5, 1-4 ACC) at Dick Howser Stadium on Saturday.

Florida State scored the first nine runs of the game, five in the fourth inning to capture its second-straight ACC series win over Virginia. It marks the first series win for the Seminoles over the Cavaliers in Tallahassee since 2012.

Bryce Hubbart became the second-straight Seminole starting pitcher to deliver an outstanding effort, limiting the Cavaliers to one hit over six innings while striking out six. The lefthander allowed a first inning single to Zack Gelof (Rehoboth Beach, Del.) and two free passes on the afternoon. Hubbart retired the last 11 batters he faced.

The Cavaliers cut into the Florida State lead by posting a four-run seventh inning. Three runs came across on a two-out bases clearing double by Nic Kent (Charlottesville, Va.) to make the score 9-4. Kent’s second double of the season was made possible by Chris Newell (Newtown Square, Pa.) who beat out an infield single in the at bat prior. The speed of Newell allowed Logan Michaels (DeForest, Wis.) to score from third, the first Virginia run of the afternoon.

The Virginia offense had runners on base in six of its nine turns at the plate, including each of the last three innings.

Five Cavalier pitchers combined to walk 11 batters, matching a season-high. Six free passes were on the ledger of starting pitcher Griff McGarry (Portola Valley, Calif.). The righthander fanned six batters in three innings of work including four-straight between the first and second innings.

Kyle Whitten (Manassas, Va.) and Luke Schauer (Washington, D.C.) did not allow a hit over the final 2.1 innings, keeping the Cavaliers within five.

The final game of the series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. Virginia will have Mike Vasil on the mound and he will be opposed by righthander Connor Grady. The game will be broadcast live on ACCNX and WINA (98.9 FM/1070 AM).