TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida State’s Jameis Winston struggled during the weekend as the Seminoles dropped 2 of 3 against Atlantic Coast Conference rival and top-ranked Virginia. The Heisman Winner had more success during a midweek series against Stetson.
In the midst of a five-game week, Winston found time to meet and take pictures with singer Darius Rucker during Rucker’s Friday tour stop in Tallahassee, Florida.
A look at how the 20-year-old sophomore fared last week:
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IN RELIEF: Winston made two appearances on the mound last week and put together an unlikely line during a 4-0 win against Stetson on Tuesday. He entered in the ninth inning and had three strikeouts and got a batter to pop out to end the game. That was possible with Garrett Russini reaching first base on a passed ball after striking out. On Friday, Winston entered a 5-3 loss to Virginia in the 10th inning with a runner on first base. After getting the first two batters out on a strikeout and a pop out, he gave up a single and a game-winning, two-RBI double to Derek Fisher before getting a fly out to end the inning. Winston’s pitching line for the week: 2.0 innings, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K, 0 BB, 9 batters faced.
AT THE PLATE: Winston went 1 for 6 last week. He was 1 for 1 with two runs scored and a walk during a 13-3 win over Stetson on Wednesday. He doubled to right field in the eighth inning and scored from third on a Jose Brizuela fly out. On Sunday, he flew out to center field in the fifth inning of a 4-3 loss to Virginia but received a raucous ovation after an eighth-inning sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third base. Winston’s line this week: 4 games, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 RBI, 2 R, 2 K.
IN THE FIELD: Winston entered left field in the eighth inning Wednesday and did not field a ball. He entered left field in the sixth inning Friday, fielded a single in the seventh, caught a fly out in the eighth and fielded a single in the 10th before moving to the mound.
HIGHLIGHT: Winston would have struck out the side Tuesday if not for a passed ball. His double Wednesday was his second extra-base hit of the season.
ON THE SEASON: Winston has five hits in 36 at-bats and is batting .139; on the mound he has pitched 24.0 innings, struck out 25 of the 87 batters he’s faced, has given up 14 hits and four walks. He has five saves with a 1.50 ERA.
ON DECK: Florida State hosts Minnesota for a three-game nonconference series this weekend.
QUOTABLE: “Me and Heisman legend J Winston I am in awe!! My man!!!” singer Darius Rucker tweeted along with a picture of the two backstage.
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Associated Press Writer Kareem Copeland in Tallahassee, Fla., compiled this report.
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