TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a wild midweek slugfest defined by massive early leads and relentless comebacks, the Florida State Seminoles outlasted the North Florida Ospreys 14-9 on Wednesday at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.

The game’s most critical sequence came in the bottom of the sixth inning, with Florida State trailing 9-8. After North Florida had surged back ahead with a three-run double in the top of the frame, the Seminoles responded immediately to reclaim control for good. Myles Bailey led off the inning with his second solo home run of the game to tie it. Florida State then loaded the bases before Kelvyn Paulino Jr. delivered a go-ahead RBI double and Cal Fisher followed with another run-scoring double, part of a four-run outburst that put the Seminoles ahead 11-9. That inning halted North Florida’s momentum and Florida State never trailed again, adding three insurance runs in the eighth.

The contest began in stunning fashion, as North Florida’s Matthew Farner launched the game’s first pitch from Rhett Vaughn deep over the left field wall for a solo home run. The Ospreys then sent 14 more batters to the plate in a marathon top of the first, capitalizing on a combination of hits, walks and hit batters. Jackson Toberman provided the biggest blow, a bases-clearing double that contributed to his four RBIs on the day. When the inning finally ended, North Florida had built a commanding 9-0 lead before Florida State had recorded a hit.

The Seminoles began their methodical climb back in the second. After loading the bases, Noah Sheffield’s two-run single ignited a six-run rally that chased North Florida starter Tommy Groom. Bailey and Paulino Jr. each added two-run hits in the inning, cutting the deficit to 9-6.

Bailey struck again in the fourth, blasting a two-run homer to deep left field to bring Florida State within a run at 9-8. The Ospreys, however, answered in the sixth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Toberman hammered a double to right-center off reliever Jake Echols, clearing the bases and putting North Florida back in front 12-9. The lead was short-lived, as Florida State’s explosive bottom half of the inning swung the game permanently.

Bailey was the offensive catalyst for Florida State, finishing 3-for-3 with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs scored and two walks. Paulino Jr. drove in three runs, while Sheffield also had three RBIs.

For North Florida, Farner went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBIs and two walks. Toberman’s four RBIs came on just one hit. Seth Alford added two hits and an RBI.

The win improved Florida State’s record to 5-2, while North Florida fell to an even 5-5.

The Seminoles used eight pitchers in the game, with Payton Manca earning the win after recording the final out in the sixth. North Florida’s John Costa took the loss, surrendering four runs in the decisive sixth inning.

Florida State opens a three-game home series with The Citadel on Friday. North Florida returns home to begin a three-game set against Presbyterian on Friday.