FSU regains footing before CWS elimination matchup with North Carolina

OMAHA, Neb. — It wasn’t easy for Link Jarrett to go to bed after Florida State’s walkoff loss to Tennessee in the opening round of the 2024 Men’s College World Series. The coach thought his whole team felt the sting of that loss to No. 1 Tennessee.

Sunday’s reaction gave him inspiration for what could still be a deep run at Charles Schwab Field. Seminoles starter Carson Dorsey held Virginia scoreless for the first sixth innings, allowing the offense to build a 7-0 lead in what ended a 7-3 victory.

“The team’s response of playing arguably the best game we’ve played this year pretty much sums up what’s in that dugout,” Jarrett said. “To watch them play their best game, that was just a thrill I’ll never forget here.”

Dorsey’s off-speed stuff matched his fastball to keep Virginia batters off-balance. He allowed three hits in the first two innings, then settled in before allowing two on in the sixth. The lefty was eventually tagged with all three Virginia runs on nine hits and seven strikeouts.

Junior outfielder Jamie Ferrer led the offense with two home runs, the only Seminole with multiple hits. He is now 4-for-9 in the College World Series.

“Being able to come out clutch for my team is awesome,” Ferrer said. “We still get to dance and we still get to play on Tuesday and compete for a national championship, which is everyone’s goal here.”

Florida State will meet fellow ACC foe North Carolina in a loser-go-home afternoon tilt.

The two teams never played each other over the course of the regular season or conference tournament.

The Tar Heels were shut down by Tennessee’s offense on Sunday night and have failed to score more than four runs in five of their last six games. Meanwhile, Jarrett believes his team can compete with anyone after what he’s seen already in Omaha.

Up next …

FSU vs. North Carolina, College World Series

When: Tuesday in Omaha, Neb., 2

TV: ESPN