TALLAHASSEE — Regional hosts Florida State flexed their muscles in a 10-3 win over Mississippi State on Saturday, piling on early against the Bulldogs to take another step towards the Super regional round of the NCAA tournament.
MSU ace Pico Kohn took the mound for his first start since the Missouri series two weeks ago. He recorded seven strikeouts in 3.2 innings, but his return was shortened by prolific work from the hosts.
Cal Fisher hit a double that bounced right in front of the center field wall before bouncing over, and Drew Faurot followed by taking the next pitch the distance for the Seminoles. MSU answered with a solo shot from Noah Sullivan, but FSU took control in the fourth with a knockdown punch.
Pico Kohn walked the first two batters, one being the lightning-quick Chase Williams, who stole second and third on consecutive pitches. Williams got home on an RBI single from Gage Harrelson, and then Myles Bailey ended Kohn’s appearance with a grand slam to establish a 7-1 lead for the hosts.
MSU relievers Charlie Foster, Dane Burns and Jacob Pruitt each came in and put up zeroes, but the Bulldog bats had no answer for Jamie Arnold. The ace allowed three runs and five hits over seven innings of work, striking out a season-high 13 while recording just two walks. His final act of the night, and possibly his final act on the mound at Dick Howser stadium, was to send Gatlin Sanders and Gehrig Frei packing on swings and misses.
Arnold finished the seventh inning with two runners on base for the Bulldogs, the most life their offense had all day to that point. He showed his composure under pressure and left his bullpen with a four-run lead to take the rest of the way.
FSU added three insurance runs in the ninth to secure the win and is just one away from a spot in the next round. The Bulldogs face a rematch with Northeastern in the elimination game at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The winner will have to beat the Seminoles twice to reach a Super regional.
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