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FSU stays alive in College World Series; Gators play Tuesday

 
Published June 20, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. — Florida State's dugout was a bit deflated after the Seminoles gave up three runs in the sixth to have a two-run lead against Cal State Fullerton turn into a one-run deficit.

Things perked up when shortstop Timmy Richards couldn't make a play on Rays draft pick Taylor Walls' grounder leading off the seventh. That started a three-run inning that sent FSU to a 6-4 win in a College World Series elimination game Monday.

"The first hitter sets the tone," FSU's Drew Mendoza said.

Fullerton (39-24) issued eight walks against FSU and 13 in their two CWS games. The Titans had ranked fourth in the country with 2.41 walks per nine innings.

The Seminoles (46-22) next play at 7 Wednesday against LSU, which lost 13-1 to Oregon State on Monday. The Tigers beat the Seminoles 5-4 Saturday night.

FSU played the 1,000th CWS game since the event started 71 years ago. Mike Martin, in charge of a program that has never won a national title in 21 previous appearances, wisecracked when a reporter pointed out it was game No. 1,000: "I thought you were going to say, 'Did you know if you lost, you'd be the losingest coach to ever play in this thing?' "

UF PLAYS TONIGHT: The Gators expect to have rightfielder Nelson Maldonado available for tonight's CWS game against Louisville (7, ESPN). The former Jefferson standout turned an ankle Sunday. UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan on tonight's game: "I know we're going to start (Brady) Singer. Other than that, I don't know much of anything — other than (Brendan) McKay is the best player in the country.'' McKay, a Louisville pitcher/first baseman, was the Rays' first-round pick.

FOOTBALL: Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was fined $300 and must pay court costs after a guilty plea to three misdemeanors stemming from an arrest in Fayetteville, Ark.