Florida State baseball's 7 game-winning streak comes to an end after loss to Wake Forest

Coming into Saturday's game against Wake Forest, Florida State's baseball team hadn't lost in two weeks. 

But the Demon Deacons' bats were too much to overcome in the second game of the three-game series. 

Wake Forest (7-9, 3-7) defeated No.21 FSU (12-7, 8-6 ACC) 8-7 at Dick Howser Stadium, which ended the Seminoles' seven-game winning streak. 

"Hard-fought game, FSU head coach Mike Martin Jr. said. "The wind was blowing out like crazy. We knew it was going to be a situation where balls were going to carry out of the ballpark.

"The wind generally blows to right field. Hats off the Wake Forest as they got it done and we didn't." 

On Friday night, FSU defeated Wake Forest 2-1 behind a pinch-hit two-RBI single from Elijah Cabell in the seventh inning. 

More:Just the Facts: Florida State vs. Michigan in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

More:Behind Enemy Lines: Get to know Florida State's Sweet 16 opponent Michigan Wolverines

More:Florida State track star Trey Cunningham wins 110-meter hurdles in likely final home race

Resse Albert finished 2-for-3 on the day, including a home run and four RBIs. Robby Martin also recorded two hits against the Demon Deacons. 

FSU had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth after Eric Adler walked two consecutive batters, but Martin struck out to end the game. 

Turning point

After Wake Forest homered in the first inning, it gave the Demon Deacons a 2-0 lead. FSU responded quickly. The Seminoles loaded the bases in the first inning after a throwing error, a walk, and a single.

That's when Reese Albert hit a grand slam to clear the bases as that gave FSU a 4-2 lead. The home run was Albert's third on the season. 

In the top of the third, Wake Forest responded with a grand slam of its own by Brock Wilken to make the score 6-4 Demon Deacons. 

The following inning, Elijah Cabell, who started in left field, hit a solo home run that narrowed FSU's lead to 6-5. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, FSU took a 7-6 lead on a Vince Smith two-run homer to left field. 

But the Demon Deacons would respond with a Lucas Costello single that tied the game in the sixth. Then later, a Pierce Bennett sacrifice fly gave Wake Forest the lead for good.

After being a couple of pitcher's duels the last couple of nights, Martin said it was frustrating to have the FSU bats come alive in a loss.

"Hitting is always going to come and go, but throwing strikes and playing defense has to be there every day," Martin Jr. said. "We've done a good job with that.

"Some days, hitters have to pick up the pitchers. Today was a day to do it and we had some opportunities." 

On the bump

FSU entered the day with the lowest team ERA (2.71) in the ACC as opponents hit .195 against them this season. But after allowing only one run in his last start against Miami, Bryce Hubbart struggled with his command against Wake Forest. 

Hubbart gave up six earned runs and seven hits in three innings while striking out six batters before Clayton Kwiatkowski entered the game in the fourth.

Martin Jr. said Hubbart simply didn't get the ball down enough. 

"In windy conditions and with it blowing out, all you have to do is make contact with it and it's going to fly," Martin Jr said. "That was his struggles last year." 

Kwiatkowski's day came to an end after loading the bases in the top of the sixth. He allowed two runs -- the first runs he's allowed this season -- on two hits while striking out four batters in 2.1 innings. 

Chase Haney allowed a hit to the only batter he faced in the sixth. 

Jonah Scolaro entered the game with two outs in the sixth and was able to strike out Michael Turconi to end the inning. 

Tyler Ahearn was FSU's last pitcher of the day. He didn't give up a run while striking out three batters over three perfect innings of work. 

Up Next

FSU will wrap up its three-game series against Wake Forest on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The game will be shown on ACC Network Extra. 

Right-hander Conor Grady (3-1, 3.42 ERA) will get the ball for the Seminoles, while Rhett Lowder (0-1, 5.59 ERA) will be on the mound for the Demon Deacons. 

Reach Antwan Staley at astaley@tallahassee.com or follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.

No one covers the ‘Noles like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.