Florida State Ends LSU’s Season in 12 innings, 5-4
Sometimes, life isn't fair.
Devin Fontenot, who entered the game in the fifth inning and pitched hitless ball into the twelfth with 12 strikeouts, gave up the game winning hit to Drew Mendoza with two outs, sending Florida State and legendary coach Mike Martin back to the College World Series, beating the TIgers 5-4.
Mike Salvatore singled with one out in the inning, the first hit for the Seminoles since the fourth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Fontenot struck out Reese Albert for the second out, but Mendoza laced a single to right field for the game winner.
Fontenot (5-4) was the losing pitcher in both games of the Super Regional.
LSU will lament two base running gaffes that could have won the game in regulation.
The Tigers opened the sixth inning with three straight hits, including an RBI single by Antoine Duplantis. A ground ball advanced the runners to second and third but Giovanni DIGiacomo was picked off third base and, after a walk, a fly ball ended the inning.
Then in the eighth, the Tigers were on the board again when a Duplantis double scored Josh Smith with one out. A base hit by Daniel Cabrera moved Duplantis to third and he scored on a hit by Zach Watson with Cabrera moving to third. But Watson was thrown out trying to take second on the throw and a ground out prevented further damage.
Florida State got to LSU starter Landon Marceaux in the second inning, loading the bases with no outs. Nander DeSedas grounded out to first but a run scored on an attempt for a double play when Saul Garza dropped the ball making the tag at the plate. RBI slngles by Matheu Nelson and Mike Salvatore drove in the final two runs of the inning.
LSU got on the board in the fourth on a homer by Duplantis, but FSU got the run right back on an RBI double by Tim Becker.
Antonio Velez (5-2) matched the Tigers' bullpen, scattering four hits over 4.2 innings of relief. He did not walk a man and struck out six.