Florida State scored three unearned runs in the top of the fifth, aided by a two-out fielding error by UVA shortstop Eric Becker.
Henry Zatkowski eventually got out of the jam, and with that, the door was slammed shut.
Zatkowski and two relievers retired the ‘Noles in order in each of the final four innings to close out the decidedly undramatic 4-3 win in Game 1 of the matchup of Top 10 teams.
#10 Virginia (24-7, 8-5 ACC) scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the fourth, on a Sam Harris RBI double, a Jake Weatherspoon RBI single, and a two-out, two-run homer off the bat of DH Antonio Perrotta.
Through three innings, FSU starter Wes Mendes, who came in with a 6-1 record and 1.33 ERA, had surrendered a lone base hit in three scoreless innings.
Zatkowski, who entered the game in relief of UVA starter Kyle Johnson, who was on a pitch count as he continues to build up his endurance – he’s just getting into the swing of things from an offseason injury – should have gotten out of the top of the fifth with no damage, after inducing Brayden Dowd into a two-out grounder.
Becker misplayed the ball, extending the inning, and #7 Florida State (22-7, 7-3 ACC) took advantage, with run-scoring hits from Noah Sheffield and Hunter Carns to get the score to 4-3.
Zatkowski (5-0, 4.99 ERA) settled down and put up 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, ahead of a 1-2-3 eighth from Lucas Hartman.
Tyler Kapa, with a fastball touching 99 on the gun, closed things out with a quiet 1-2-3 in the ninth.
Johnson looked borderline elite in his start – striking out seven, allowing one hit and walking one in four innings of work, with a fastball consistently in the 94-96 range.
Up next
Game 2: Friday, April 3, 2 p.m. ET
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Pitching probables
- FSU: Trey Beard (2-0, 3.58 ERA)
- UVA: Max Stammel (2-2, 7.14 ERA)
Game 3: Saturday, April 4, 11 a.m. ET
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Pitching probables
- FSU: Bryson Moore (4-1, 5.12 ERA)
- UVA: John Paone (1-1, 5.02 ERA)
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Chris Graham
