Agresti's grand slam sends St. John's to super regionals over FSU


Adam Agresti hit a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth inning, and St. John's, the designated home team, held off a late rally to defeat Florida State 5-4 on Monday at Dick Howser Stadium to win the Tallahassee Regional in the NCAA baseball tournament.

The victory sends the Red Storm to the super regionals. Agresti's blast was his only hit. Jayder Raifstanger went 1-for-2 with a run scored and two walks, and Jon LeGrande singled and scored on the grand slam. Starting pitcher Evan Hoeckele worked five innings, giving up two earned runs and six hits with four strikeouts.

Cal Fisher had a standout performance in the loss for Florida State, going 2-for-2 with two home runs and three RBIs. Brody DeLamielleure went 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Ben Barrett added two hits. The Seminoles' pitching staff was led by starter Payton Manca, who threw three scoreless innings, giving up only one hit and striking out three.

Florida State took an early lead on Fisher's solo home run in the third inning. The Seminoles extended their advantage to 2-0 in the top of the fifth on an RBI single by DeLamielleure. The game's complexion changed dramatically in the bottom of the fifth when Agresti connected for a grand slam off reliever John Abraham, catapulting St. John's to a 4-2 lead. The Red Storm added another run in the sixth when Cristian Bernardini scored on a wild pitch. Fisher brought the Seminoles to within a run with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth.

Up next: St. John's will face host Alabama in the super regionals.

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