’Noles, Parrish keep Hogs penned up
OMAHA, Neb. — Drew Parrish limited Arkansas to five hits in eight innings and J.C. Flowers scored on Nander De Sedas’ sacrifice fly in the ninth to give Florida State a 1-0 win over the Razorbacks in the College World Series on Saturday night.
Parrish and Arkansas starter Isaiah Campbell engaged in a classic pitchers’ duel that was sprinkled with outstanding defensive play. Neither team budged until the Seminoles broke through against reliever Casey Scroggins in the last inning.
The win was the sixth straight in the NCAA Tournament for Florida State (42-21), which is trying to bring retiring 40th-year coach Mike Martin his first national championship in 17 trips to the CWS.
Arkansas (46-18), which scored 30 runs in its three super regional games against Mississippi — including 14 on Monday — was shut out for only the second time this season.
Parrish (8-5), the Seminoles’ left-handed ace, hadn’t made it past the fifth inning in his previous four starts. He was masterful against the Razorbacks, striking out nine, walking two and getting out of trouble every time he encountered any.
He was never better than in the eighth, when Christian Franklin doubled into the right-field corner leading off and was on third after a groundout. Still throwing 93 mph after crossing the 100-pitch threshold, Parrish struck out Casey Martin and Mike Goodheart with a pair of wicked changeups.
Flowers, the Seminoles’ center fielder and closer, came on in the bottom of the ninth to earn his 13th save.
It was the first 1-0 game at the CWS since Mississippi State beat Washington on the opening weekend last year.