Florida State University’s baseball team, ranked No. 16 nationally, secured a decisive 13-3 win over Jacksonville University on Tuesday night at John Sessions Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The game was called after eight innings due to the run-rule.
The Seminoles improved their season record to 3-0 and continued their strong historical performance against Jacksonville, bringing their all-time record against the Dolphins to 139-42 and their road record in the series to 50-28. Florida State has now won eight consecutive games against Jacksonville and 11 of the last 12 meetings since 2022.
After three scoreless innings, Florida State’s offense found momentum, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and adding runs in each subsequent frame except for the ninth. The team took advantage of Jacksonville’s five errors and ten issued walks while producing eleven hits. Junior left fielder Brayden Dowd contributed two hits, two RBIs, and scored twice from the top of the lineup.
Redshirt sophomore left-hander Payton Manca made his season debut as starting pitcher for FSU. He pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Junior right-hander John Abraham followed with two shutout innings, giving up just one hit and striking out three batters.
The Seminoles broke through offensively in the fourth inning with help from an error that brought home sophomore first baseman Myles Bailey for the game’s first run. Additional runs came from a groundout by Hunter Carns and an RBI single by Gabe Fraser.
FSU extended its lead significantly in the sixth inning by scoring six runs on only two hits but capitalizing on multiple walks and defensive mistakes by Jacksonville. Chase Williams walked twice during that inning alone, stole two bases, and scored on a passed ball.
Jacksonville managed to score its only runs of the night with a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth but could not narrow the gap further. Florida State added more insurance runs in both the seventh and eighth innings before senior right-hander Ben Barrett closed out the game with a strikeout.
Florida State will next play at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas for the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series from February 20-22 against Michigan, No. 9 Auburn, and Nebraska—the home stadium of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers—before returning home for a nine-game homestand beginning February 25 against North Florida. Ticket information is available at Seminoles.com/Tickets.
For updates on scheduling or news about Florida State baseball, fans can visit Seminoles.com or follow @FSUBaseball on Twitter/X and Facebook or @NoleBaseball on Instagram.
