Florida State has a major gripe with the NCAA after losing to Tennessee in their opening game at the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb. on Friday night.
The Seminoles entered the bottom of the 9th inning leading 11-8 against the Volunteers. The Vols had scored a run in the 9th and had runners at second and third with two outs against Brennen Oxford. Blake Burke was batting with a 2-2 count and Oxford threw a breaking ball low that Burke offered at.
Why are they still playing this game? pic.twitter.com/F8Y20g2Do2
— Steven Peake (@StevenPeakeKSR) June 15, 2024
The home plate umpire asked the third base umpire whether Burke went, and the third base umpire said Burke did not go. The decision made it a full count, and Burke hammered a 2-run single to tie the game at 11.
THIS. IS. JUNE.
THIS. IS. OMAHA.
THIS IS (what happens when you give Blake Burke a 50/50 check swing call that would have ended the game but he gets 2nd life and capitalizes) pic.twitter.com/1MpKPjwDcF— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7) June 15, 2024
Thanks to the new life, the Vols tied the game on Burke’s hit. Tennessee followed with two more hits and won 12-11 in walk-off fashion.
Had the umpire said Burke went on the swing, the game would have been over and FSU would have won 11-9.
The question is: did Burke go or check his swing?
This check swing would have ended the game had it been called a strike and Florida State would have won. Instead, two batters later, Tennessee walks off.
Swing or no swing? #MCWS pic.twitter.com/Lrpqb2mN9A
— Don Thomas (@REALDonThomas) June 15, 2024
You ask me, he went halfway and stopped. That’s absolutely a 50-50 call. It benefitted Tennessee and hurt FSU, so there is no doubt the Seminoles are not happy.
