A Late Surge
St. John’s baseball team pulled off a stunning upset in the NCAA regional tournament, defeating No. 10 Florida State 6‑5.
Florida State opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning, but the Red Storm answered in the second with a solo shot from Adam Agresti that tied the game.
The Seminoles extended their lead to three runs in the eighth, only to see St. John’s narrow the gap with a wild pitch and a passed ball that produced two unearned runs.
The decisive moment arrived in the ninth inning when Jayder Raifstanger delivered a run‑scoring single, giving the Red Storm a 6‑5 lead that Evan Hoeckele preserved by retiring the side in order.
The victory marks the program’s first regional opening‑round win since 2012, ending a 14‑year drought and capping a turnaround that began after a mid‑season loss to California Baptist.
Coach Jon LeGrande’s experience as a two‑time All‑Big East first‑team selection helped steer the team through a 1‑10 start, sparking a 23‑of‑30 winning stretch.
St. John’s now awaits the winner of the Northern Illinois‑Coastal Carolina game, poised for the next round of competition.