TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – For the fifth straight year, Florida State baseball sent the home crowd away happy on opening day. The 16th ranked Seminoles did enough late to pull away from the James Madison Dukes 5-1 at Dick Howser Stadium.
The ‘Noles got things started early off the bat of sophomore sensation Myles Bailey. The first baseman drove a first pitch, no doubt home run to right center field to give FSU a 1-0 lead in the first.
Outfielder Brody DeLamielleure followed suit in the second, slamming a line drive to right center to double the lead, 2-0.
Wes Mendes got the ball to start for Florida State and the lefty proved himself worthy of the Friday night ace role. The junior went five complete, surrendering four hits and striking out seven while walking just one while picking up the win.
JMU would show signs of life in the sixth, scoring a run in the top of the frame to cut the FSU lead in half. The ‘Noles would respond in the eighth as Cal Fisher would score on a bases loaded balk and a pinch hitting Noah Sheffield would knock a two RBI single up the middle to ice the game at 5-1.
Florida State will go for the series on Saturday, with game two slated for a 2 PM first pitch.
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