|
Despite a late-inning rally by the
Terrapins, Florida State held on to beat Maryland 9-7 to open Atlantic
Coast Conference play with a win. First baseman Denis Guinn led the
Noles offensively with a couple of singles and four RBIs, while
shortstop Buster Posey and second baseman Tony Thomas Jr both knocked in
two runs a piece.
Starting pitcher Bryan Henry (5-0) cruised for six innings, and had
extended his scoreless inning streak to 27.1, but was obviously tiring
early in the seventh. Despite all of this, no one was even in the
Florida State bullpen until the fourth run of the inning crossed the
plate. For the game, Henry wound up giving up four runs on eight hits
with six strikeouts and no walks. Brent Marsh pitched the eighth inning
but got knocked around a bit for three hits, including a three-run home
run to center.
As usual, center fielder Shane Robinson led off the first inning for
Florida State with a base hit. After going to second on a ground out,
Robinson stole third, and scored on a grounder to short that was hit by
Guinn.
Two innings later, the Tribe put a six spot up on the board that turned
the game into what should have been a laugher. Designated hitter Ryan
McArdle led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch, and went to second
on a a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Strauss. The throw from the Terrapin
catcher was off the mark, and Strauss reached first safely on the play.
After right fielder Jack Rye singled to load the bases with one out,
Guinn brought home two more runs with single to left. Third baseman Ryne
Malone was then hit by a pitch before a Posey single up the middle score
two more runs and gave the Seminoles a 5-0 lead. Malone and Posey then
pulled off a double steal before a base hit up the middle by Thomas
plated them both and gave FSU a 7-0 lead.
Florida State added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning
when McArdle singled and scored on a fielder's choice, and Guinn singled
in another run.
After the Terps narrowed the gap with their four runs in the seventh and
three in the eighth, FSU closer Luke Tucker picked up his third save of
the season with a scoreless ninth to end the game.
The Seminoles improved to 16-1 overall, and 1-0 in the ACC. Maryland
fell to 6-8 and 2-2 in conference play. Game two of the series is
scheduled for 6:00 on Saturday night with Tyler Chambliss (4-0, 2.17
ERA) on the mound for FSU.
|
