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Sean Gilmartin has made magnificent
outings appear routine over the past year and a half.
The crafty left hander was fantastic shutting down the Maryland lineup
for just over seven innings while the Seminoles offense did just enough
to push Mike Martin’s ball club by the Terrapins 4-1 on Friday night.
The California native allowed only six hits and one run over his seven
and one-thirds innings, striking out seven without surrendering a walk.
As it would turn out, the Seminoles four runs would be enough to secure
the win.
“It was enough,” said Gilmartin of the run support. “It was good to get
up early against a team like that especially against their starter. He
has thrown well the past two weeks. A little tough luck for him tonight,
but we were fortunate enough to put two runs up in the first inning and
that was pretty much all I needed.”
Gilmartin finally found himself with a “W” next to his name after his
third straight week being involved in a pitcher’s duel in the ACC. After
a loss against Virginia and Danny Hultzen and a no decision against Matt
Harvey and North Carolina, Gilmartin came out on top against Maryland’s
Brett Harman.
Harman proved to be more than a worthy adversary allowing three runs
over six hits, walking three, and striking out nine. Only one of his
runs allowed was earned.
“Brett Harman is for real,” said head coach Mike Martin. “That was a
different Maryland team than I have seen since I have been in this
league. That was a great display of baseball. I can see how that guy
stifled Georgia Tech for eight innings. That was an outstanding
performance.”
Ahead by one in the eighth, Gilmartin returned to the mound. The
southpaw promptly punched out the first batter he faced before allowing
a double off the fence in right that saw his outing come to a close.
Daniel Bennett provided the stopping power the Seminoles were looking
for by stranding the runner at third with two consecutive strikeouts to
end the Terrapins bid to equalize.
“Dan Bennett did a heck of a job coming out of the bullpen,” Gilmartin
said. “He pitched very well.”
Stuart Tapley provided the knockout blow in the bottom half of the same
inning launching a one out, two-run homer to right to push the lead to
three providing the Seminoles with the breathing room they were so
desperate to have.
Tapley, who went 2-for4 with three RBI, expected the pitch to be in on
his hands, but received a pleasant surprise when Maryland’s Dan Gentzler
missed with his location.
“I thought for sure they were coming inside on me because that is what
the textbook says to do with a sidearm guy,” said Tapley of his mental
approach. “Trying to get me to roll over on a ground ball and get the
double play, but he left one over the plate and I was able to get a hold
of it.”
“That was big,” added Gilmartin. “Especially Ramsey getting hit the
pitch before and Tapley coming up and hitting the ball out of the ball
park, that was huge.”
The home run served a dual purpose of allowing left fielder Mike McGee
to have ample time to warm up in the bullpen. McGee came into the game
throwing strikes from the beginning tossing a perfect inning striking
out one. 11 of his 14 pitches found the strike zone en route to his
third save of the season.
Florida State’s pitching trio didn’t allow a single walk for the second
time this season, the first coming against Florida in Tampa on March
2nd.
“What was so intriguing was that we didn’t walk anyone in this game,”
said Martin. “It was a very satisfying win for us. We knew we had to
earn it.”
Third baseman Sherman Johnson continued to swing a hot stick as the
sophomore went 3-for-4 raising his average to .354 on the season.
Johnson was the only other hitter besides Tapley to have a multi-hit
performance.
Florida State and Maryland will return to Dick Howser Stadium for game
three with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Left hander
John Gast will take the hill for the Seminoles against Maryland’s Adam
Kolarek in a battle of southpaws.
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