Link Jarrett shares message amid slow start in CWS elimination game vs. Tennessee

Florida State and head coach Link Jarrett have not had the best start to Wednesday’s game against Tennessee. The Vols are up 4-0 heading into the fourth inning. While the Seminoles still have a donut in the run column, there have certainly been favorable situations.

In the bottom of the third, there were two on in scoring position with nobody out. A groundball resulted in a play at the plate while a double play ended the inning shortly after. Jarrett believes there was just some confusion while running the bases, ending the Florida State scoring threat.

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“On the groundball, Jackson West, I think he anticipated that the pitcher may be able to grab that,” Jarrett said during a mid-game interview with ESPN. “And he hesitated. When he did that, he found himself in trouble. Max had moved from second toward third. So, Jackson found himself in a little bit of trouble there.”

Jarrett then sent a message to his team, wanting them to keep things going while mentally slowing down a bit. Getting good length out of pitcher Brennen Oxford is critical for Florida State, with Jarrett saying he can go around 25 more pitches — hopefully two more innings.

At some point, the bats will come alive and Florida State will have the opportunity to come back. Having steady pitching and keeping Tennessee at four runs is the critical aspect.

“We’re back up against it a little bit right now,” Jarrett said. “We need to get some length. If Ox can keep going, that’s good. We have some other nice pieces in the ‘pen. And then offensively, we just have to stick with it.

“Clearly, when you’re second and third, nobody out, you need to deliver there. We didn’t. So, we’re backing ourselves into a corner but with the offensive firepower, you’re never out of it. We just need to settle and steady this thing a little bit and hopefully we can keep the good at-bats going.”

If Florida State is able to come back and win, a true elimination game will take place on Thursday. Winner takes all for a spot in the College World Series Final. Tennessee has not been there since 1951 while Florida State’s last appearance was 199.

Both programs are looking for their first national championship.

Jarrett knows there is still a lot of baseball to be played. Keeping to ship sailing before eventually pouncing is how Florida State will stay alive.