TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Wildcats showed no fear of No. 6 Florida State as they launched a trio of homers in a narrow 9-7 defeat, Wednesday night at Dick Howser Stadium. 



After a quiet first inning for the Wildcats (6-7), Florida State (12-0) jumped on B-CU starter Angel Lopez for a pair of runs on an RBI double before the Wildcats turned to usual midweek starter Brandon Vazquez out of the bullpen. Vazquez surrendered a single and a sacrifice fly as the Seminoles took an early 4-0 win.

The Seminoles threatened again in the second with a pair of two-out singles, but nothing came across. 

B-CU got on the board in the top of the third as Reinaldo Plascencia walked to open the inning, advancing to third on a wild pitch and single. Darryl Lee plated the first run of the night for the Cats, scoring Plascencia and forcing the Seminoles to turn to the bullpen. 

The Wildcats climbed back to within one in the top of the fourth as Jorge Rodriguez and Manny Souffrain sent back-to-back two-out solo homers to cut the deficit to 4-3

Florida State kept the Wildcats at arms length in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single and three-run homer to make it 8-3.

Jesus Vanegas took one back in the top of the fifth. B-CU threatened more, putting runners on second and third with two outs, but a strikeout ended the opportunity.

Again the Wildcats found another opportunity in the sixth, as an error loaded up the bases for Lee, but another strikeout left B-CU empty-handed.

The Seminoles plated another run in the sixth as they loaded the bases with a walk and two singles, scoring their ninth run of the game on a bases-loaded free pass.

After stranding runners in each of the next two frames, the Wildcats offense found life in the top of the ninth. As the Seminoles turned to the bullpen again to start the inning, Lee opened the ninth with an RBI double. Michael Rodriguez followed with a single before Vanegas cleared the bases with a three-run homer - his third of the year.

The Wildcats put runners on first and second with two outs, but could not muster another run as they fell, 9-7. 

Angel Lopez took the loss after allowing four runs without recording an out.

Brandon Vazquez worked three impressive innings of scoreless ball, scattering three hits with a pair of strikeouts.

After Robert Lastra and Julian Carrasquilla worked the middle innings, Aaron Shaefer closed things out with two strong scoreless frames, allowing just a hit and a walk with three strikeouts. 

• Jesus Vanegas recorded a career-high four RBI - more than doubling his season total - on three hits with a run scored.
• Darryl Lee finished 3-5 with an RBI and a run scored.
• B-CU stranded 10 runners - FSU stranded nine. 
• B-CU has 12 total homers through just 13 games on the season - B-CU finished with just 14 in the entire regular season in 2024. 

The first road weekend of the season is up next for B-CU as they travel to Fort Myers to take on the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast. First pitch of the weekend series is set for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7. 


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--#HailWildcats--