In a series where the first two games gave both Louisville and Florida State wins on Thursday and Friday, respectively, it only seemed fitting that another hot start would be the difference in the rubber match.
That would definitely prove to be the case. Louisville (43-13, 21-9 ACC) got seven runs in the first three innings, and cruised to a 11-0 win over Florida State (35-20, 17-13) to clinch the ACC regular season title, and the #1 overall seed in the ACC Tournament next week in Durham, NC.
The Cardinals jumped on Florida State early with four runs in the first inning. Alex Binelas and Danny Oriente both brought in a run on RBI singles. Zach Britton added another run with an RBI groundout, and Henry Davis also had an RBI single of his own before the first inning closed.
Two more runs would come for Louisville in the second inning, coming via Jake Snider’s RBI single and a groundout from Logan Wyatt that managed to bring in a run. An RBI on a fielder’s choice from Drew Campbell would add one run in the third inning, giving Louisville a 7-0 lead after three innings.
The Cardinals continued the onslaught with a run in the fourth inning, coming on Alex Binelas’ flyout that brought home Lucas Dunn. Danny Oriente’s RBI single and Pat Rumoro’s RBI groundout would plate two more runs and put Louisville into double-digit runs territory, giving them a 10-0 lead after six innings. Pat Rumoro drew another RBI on a groundout to the third basemen in the eighth inning, capping off Louisville’s day with an 11-0 victory.
While Louisville’s offense was the driving force behind the series-clincher in today’s game, sophomore Bobby Miller was holding it steady for the Cardinals on the mound. Miller earned the win with six shutout innings of work, only allowing two hits and twirling eight strikeouts. Miller, along with senior Bryan Hoeing, and both Michael Kirian and Michael McAvene, combined for 13 strikeouts in the game.
Florida State only mustered two hits in the game against Louisville’s pitching lineup, coming from J.C. Flowers (1-for-2) and Nander De Sedas (1-for-3).
The top five batters in Louisville’s lineup dominated the day for the Cardinals. Lucas Dunn, Jake Snider, Logan Wyatt, Alex Binelas, and Danny Oriente combined to finish 11-for-19 at the plate. Snider and Oriente led the way with 3-for-5 and 3-for-4 showings at the plate, respectively (both also adding an RBI to their totals). Alex Binelas finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a double, his 12th of the season. Logan Wyatt was 1-for-3 and drew two walks.
Pat Rumoro added two RBIs of his own as a pinch-hitter, capping off a solid week where he also earned a spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 for his tag-out at home in the eighth inning during Thursday night’s game.
With the 2019 regular season wrapped up, Louisville enters the postseason as the number one overall seed in the ACC Tournament. Louisville enters the tournament in pool A with 8-seed Clemson and 12-seed Boston College. Louisville will be looking for its first conference tournament title since joining the ACC, and will also be playing for a potential top-eight overall seed in the NCAA Tournament in two weeks. Times for Louisville’s games in pool play are yet to be determined, as of right now.
