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Video: Sherman Johnson talks about his big game
Video: Mike Martin Postgame
Florida State completed their first three-game sweep of the season
defeating the Georgia State Panthers 12-2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Seminoles got a superb effort out of starting pitcher John Gast who
completed six full innings – a career high - while surrendering only two
runs on four hits, and struck out five. Gast did hit one batter, but no
four pitch walks were issued.
Gast’s performance had manager Mike Martin delighted at what he saw in
front of just over 4,500 people at Dick Howser Stadium.
“I know I saw the best outing I have seen from Johnny Gast in the three
years he’s been here,” said a very pleased Martin. “That was electric
stuff. It was as close to dominating as I can say.”
While Martin was ecstatic over the performance of his starting pitcher,
before he gets too excited, Martin wants to see this type of game from
Gast on a consistent basis.
“I’m very proud of him, but I am not getting excited,” said Martin.
“This is February the 21st. I will get excited when he continues to go
out and prove that he can throw the ball like that every time he goes
out there.”
Sherman Johnson, who got the start at third base for the first time this
season, sparked the Seminoles lineup going 3-for-4 with two doubles. His
three hits became a new career-high for hits in a game.
Johnson had hit the cover off of the ball all weekend long, but hadn’t
been fortunate enough to hit it away from defenders. On Sunday, his luck
changed for the better.
“It was nice to see Sherman get some knocks,” Martin said. “He had hit
the ball hard two or three times – he hit it right off the pitcher’s
shin yesterday and didn’t get a knock. I was glad to see him get some
hits today.”
“It was about time,” added the relieved third baseman. “I was hitting
them hard. Yesterday I hit one right at the pitcher and I was like ‘wow
good start to the season.’”
True freshman Justin Gonzalez found himself on the team sheet when he
arrived at Dick Howser Stadium on Sunday morning and realized he would
be getting his first ever start as a Seminole.
He made it a memorable one.
Gonzalez went 2-for-3 including a two-run homer to left in the fourth
inning and a triple in the seventh inning. He also walked once, and
scored three times.
“I was just real excited to know that we were playing baseball and then
to see my name on the starting lineup, I just felt like a little kid
again,” Gonzalez said. “I just got my feet wet and it feels great. It
was a great day.”
Designated hitter Stuart Tapley chimed in with a home run himself in the
second inning. The powerful slugger didn’t make it easy on himself as he
chose the deepest part of the ball park to conquer.
Florida State’s bullpen was again impressive as freshman Robert
Benincasa and junior closer Andrew Durden worked three scoreless
innings.
Benincasa allowed only one hit in his two innings while striking out
three. Durden saw his first action of the season setting down the
Panthers in order in the top of the ninth.
“He was a caged animal,” Martin said of Durden. “He wanted some action
so bad. I told Jamey (Shouppe) to go down there to the bullpen and tell
him that we decided to quit after eight (innings). He looked at me and
said, ‘I ain’t saying that.’”
The Seminoles opening weekend has to go down as an overwhelming success
making quick work of a solid Georgia State baseball team that won their
first ever Regional and CAA championship in school history a season ago.
“It was a good opening weekend for us,” Martin said of the sweep. “It’s
exciting to get the season started. These young men are excited. They
know there is a lot of baseball before them the next couple of months
along with their academics.”
Florida State will return to the diamond on Wednesday against North
Florida at 4:00 p.m. Mike McGee is slated to be the starting pitcher
against the Ospreys. |
