In a tense, emotional, and at times chaotic Tallahassee Regional finale, Florida State rode the arm of southpaw Jamie Mendes and a late offensive surge to defeat Mississippi State 5-2, punching their ticket to the NCAA Baseball Super Regional for the second consecutive season.
From the first pitch to the final out, Sunday night’s battle was defined by grit, emotion, and timely execution.
Mississippi State opened the scoring in dramatic fashion, launching a solo home run on the very first pitch of the game. The early blast, however, didn’t rattle Mendes, who rebounded with a composed 1-2-3 second inning, flashing command of his secondary pitches and working the corners of the strike zone effectively.
Florida State’s offense took time to get going, with Chase Williams delivering the team’s first hit in the second inning—a double off the right-field wall. Tensions rose when Mississippi State starter Karsyn Ligon exchanged words with James Hankerson Jr. following a strikeout to end the inning. That encounter escalated when FSU head coach Link Jarrett emerged to defend his player, leading to a heated discussion at home plate and a rare ejection for the typically level-headed skipper.
Despite the early loss of their head coach, the Seminoles leaned on their ace. Mendes responded by retiring the side in order again in the third, helping calm a team that was visibly fired up. But Florida State’s offense couldn’t capitalize on early opportunities, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position through the first five innings and stranding multiple runners as Ligon teetered but never collapsed.
Mississippi State padded their lead in the fifth with another solo home run—this time by catcher Joe Powell, who pulled a 3-2 breaking ball over the left field fence. But Mendes kept the Bulldogs at bay, needing just 51 pitches to get through five efficient innings.
Florida State finally broke through in the seventh, sparked by a leadoff double from Myles Bailey. Two pitches later, Cal Fisher crushed a game-tying two-run homer to left field, sending the crowd into a frenzy and shifting the momentum fully in FSU’s favor.
In the eighth, the Seminoles capitalized on a Bulldog error and three walks to load the bases. Max Williams came through in the clutch, threading a 1-2 pitch through the right side to score two and give FSU their first lead of the night. Bailey followed with another RBI single to make it 5-2. Fisher added a single to put runners on the corners, but a baserunning gaffe cost FSU a chance to add more.
Mendes finished a masterful night with a career-high eight innings pitched, allowing just five hits, two runs, and striking out nine on 105 pitches. It was a gritty, composed effort that preserved Florida State’s bullpen and kept them in the game until the offense could finally cash in.
Right-hander Joe Charles slammed the door in the ninth. He struck out the first two batters—one of whom was ejected for arguing—and after a walk and wild pitch, ended the game with a third strikeout, securing the victory.
Florida State’s win marked the culmination of a tense and emotional regional, highlighted by Jarrett’s ejection, stellar pitching, and a late offensive explosion. The Seminoles now advance to the Super Regional round with momentum and belief, seeking a return to Omaha.
