Link Jarrett, the head coach of the Florida State baseball team, faced a difficult decision leading up to the team's opening matchup in the Tallahassee Regional of the NCAA Tournament. With a depleted starting rotation and an inconsistent bullpen, Jarrett had to determine where to use his star pitcher, Jamie Arnold. After much deliberation, Jarrett and his staff decided to save Arnold for a higher-leverage spot on Saturday, opting to start Carson Dorsey in the first game.

Dorsey, coming off a rough outing in Charlotte, entered the game with uncertainty surrounding his performance. However, he delivered an outstanding performance when it mattered the most. Over 8.2 innings, Dorsey allowed only two runs, one of which was earned, showcasing his pitching prowess. He kept the Hatter hitters off balance all afternoon, utilizing his fastball, which reached up to 94mph, and his curveball effectively.

What was most impressive about Dorsey's performance was his ability to dominate with runners on base. Despite having two runners on base four times, he managed to give up only one earned run, demonstrating his composure and ability to respond under pressure. Dorsey's stellar outing saved the Seminole bullpen, ensuring that they would be fresh for the rest of the weekend.

Although Dorsey received sporadic run support, two early solo home runs from Max Williams and Daniel Cantu put Florida State in the lead, a lead they would not relinquish. Williams' home run in the first inning set the tone for the Seminoles' postseason run, electrifying the crowd at Howser Stadium.

In addition to his brilliant pitching, Dorsey also benefited from excellent defensive plays by his teammates. A 7-4-2 relay resulted in a thrilling play at the plate, gunning down a runner attempting to tie the game. FSU capitalized on their defensive prowess by displaying their ability to hit with two outs, scoring runs in each of the first three innings.

Despite the Stetson lineup's persistent efforts to score, Dorsey shut the door on multiple occasions. In the fourth inning, he induced a pop-fly to keep the game at 3-1, and in the fifth, he threw his first 1-2-3 inning since the second, solidifying Florida State's control of the contest.

Commenting on Dorsey's performance, Coach Jarrett mentioned that the turning point for him occurred in the fourth and fifth innings when he started establishing his changeup. This adjustment proved to be crucial in Dorsey's success throughout the game.

The Seminoles' lineup broke through in the fifth inning, as Alex Lodise delivered a fly ball to left field that was lost in the sun by the Stetson left fielder, resulting in two runs scored for FSU. Despite a second unearned run allowed by Dorsey in the sixth inning, he continued to battle and worked out of a jam with two runners in scoring position, ultimately keeping the game at 5-2.

In the seventh inning, the FSU order delivered a final blow, bringing in two more runs and extending the lead to 7-2. With a pitch count of 105, Dorsey took the mound for the eighth inning, needing only six pitches to retire the side. He returned for the ninth inning but fell one out short of a complete game, as a two-out single brought Jarrett out of the dugout. Reliever Brennen Oxford wasted no time, striking out the next batter on three pitches to secure the victory for the Seminoles.

With this impressive win, Florida State moves on to the winner's bracket of the Tallahassee Regional. They await the winner of the matchup between UCF and Alabama, which is set to take place on Friday evening.

The Tallahassee Regional action will continue on Saturday, June 1, with Stetson facing off against the loser of the UCF vs. Alabama game in the afternoon. Following that, Florida State will take on the winner of the same game in the evening, as they strive to maintain their momentum in the tournament.

Overall, Carson Dorsey's outstanding performance on the mound propelled Florida State to a decisive victory in their opening game of the Tallahassee Regional, setting the stage for a promising NCAA Tournament run.