Gage Harrelson delivered a crucial RBI single in the seventh inning to propel Florida State to a 3-1 victory over Oregon State on Saturday night, ensuring the Seminoles remained alive in the Tallahassee Regional. Jamie Arnold showcased his pitching skills by allowing only one run with nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings for the No. 9 national seed Seminoles. The teams are set to face off in a decisive Game 3 on Sunday.
Oregon State, holding a record of 46-14-1, had previously claimed a narrow 5-4 victory on Friday when AJ Singer hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning to clinch Game 1 of their best-of-three series. During Saturday’s game, Oregon State’s starting pitcher, Ethan Kleinschmit, walked Drew Faurot to start the seventh. Following this, Laif Palmer took over but was unable to prevent Florida State from taking the lead.
Pinch-hitter James Hankerson Jr. reached base on a fielder’s choice, advanced to second after a single by West, setting up Harrelson’s decisive single that gave Florida State a 2-1 advantage. Relief pitcher Maison Martinez came in for Arnold and managed a strikeout to end the seventh inning, but after walking Gavin Turley at the start of the eighth, Peyton Prescott was summoned. Prescott delivered by striking out Wilson Weber and inducing Trent Caraway into a double play, securing the inning, then went on to strike out the side in a flawless ninth inning to earn his third save this season.
Oregon State achieved a milestone by breaking the program’s single-season strikeout record during the game. Ethan Kleinschmit, despite conceding two runs with 11 strikeouts over six-plus innings, contributed to this record by striking out Harrelson in the third inning. In total, Beavers pitchers have amassed a remarkable 637 strikeouts this season.
In the early innings, Oregon State initially took the lead when Avia Arquette singled, stole second, and crossed home plate on Wilson Weber’s RBI single in the first inning. However, Florida State equalized in the third inning when West reached base on an error, Alex Lodise walked, and Max Williams drove in West with a single through the left side, leveling the score at 1-1.
Florida State, boasting a 42-15 record, is participating in its second consecutive Super Regional and the 19th such appearance for the program since the format’s inception in 1999—a record among NCAA programs. Meanwhile, Oregon State is making its second consecutive super regional appearance and the ninth in program history as they both gear up for the final showdown.