Top-ranked Florida State pounded out 16 hits en route to a 9-5 win over Clemson in front of 4,965 fans in the second game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Monday night.
The Seminoles, who clinched the ACC Atlantic Division title win the victory, improved to 41-11 overall and 22-5 in the ACC. The Tigers, who won the series 2-1, fell to 31-21 overall and 16-11 in ACC play.
The Seminoles scored two runs in the first inning and four runs in the third inning to build a 6-0 lead. After Florida State scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 9-2 lead, Jason Stolz hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring the Tigers within four runs. But righty relievers Gage Smith and Robert Benincasa shut the door and preserved the Seminole win.
Smith (2-0), the third of four Florida State pitchers, earned the win by tossing 2.1 hitless and scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Benincasa pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to close out the game.
Tiger starter Jonathan Meyer (2-5) suffered the loss, as he allowed six runs on 10 hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Patrick Andrews pitched a career-long 6.2 innings out of the bullpen and gave up three runs.
Clemson scored nine combined runs in the first four innings and held on for a 9-7 victory over #1 Florida State in the first game of a doubleheader.
