Sports

FSU Baseball Destined For College World Series After Slugger Completes Cycle With Walk-Off Grand Slam

#Florida State University
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The FSU Baseball team had the most gratifying win in ages on Tuesday night when they beat their in-state arch rivals, the Florida Gators, with a walk-off grand slam. As sweet as that is, it got even BETTER when you factor in the player who hit the walk-off grand slam completed hitting for the cycle with that dinger.

FSU Baseball is now 21-3 on the season and as a Florida State alumnus, after last night I’ve never been more convinced that this is the Seminoles’ year.

First up, here is the magical moment when Alex Lodise, who finished 4-5 in the game at the plate and only needed a HR to complete the cycle, hit a grand slam to beat their in-state rival Florida Gators 8-4 in absolutely spectacular fashion:

The circumstances here are so outlandish that this straight out of your childhood’s wildest dreams. Hitting off a tee in the backyard or from your older brother tossing you easy pitches and spouting off the most over-the-top imaginary circumstances before you take a swing… It’s always ‘bottom off the night, down by X, bases loaded, against (your most hated team).’ And that’s EXACTLY what Alex Lodise was facing in the bottom of the 9th when he stepped up to the plate.

FSU Baseball’s head coach Link Jarrett had a lot to say about the incredible come back. Because it all started in the top of the 9th when Florida State was literally just one pitch/one out away from winning without having to go to the bottom of the 9th. The Florida Gators put up 2 runs in the top of the 9th to take a 1-run lead. Then the Seminoles responded in with authority.

Here’s Coach Jarrett after the game:

After that brutal loss, the Florida Gators are now 18-9 on the season. They are winless in SEC play (0-6). FSU Baseball meanwhile is 21-3 and 5-1 in the ACC. Florida State is currently ranked #4 in the nation behind Georgia (#3), Arkansas (#2), and Tennessee (#1).

I said it above and I’ll say it again: I’ve never felt so good about FSU Baseball’s chance to win its first College World Series as I do after last night’s walk-off grand slam win over the Gators. And I say that as someone well aware of the enormous monkey on FSU’s back…

Florida State has 3 appearances in the College World Series finals and they finished as runner-ups in all 3 appearances (1970, 1986, and 1999). But it gets worse from there… FSU leads the nation in most CWS appearances without a championship.

The Seminoles have been to the College World Series on 24 occasions, only trailing the Miami Hurricanes (24) and the Texas Longhorns (38). FSU Baseball is 30-46 across those 24 CWS appearances. They’re always *this close* from winning it all and legendary head coach Mike Martin was never able to get his squads over the hump in Omaha but I’m feeling good about this year. Look at this dinger and tell me you’re not feeling good about FSU’s chances this year:

Games like last night go a LONG WAY when it comes to confidence. Knowing they have it in themselves to hunker down and hit a dinger when the game’s on the line, those are the moments that get remembered late in the season. This is our year.