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Florida State overcame a power outage and a pesky Florida team to
take the season series against the Gators winning 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Just minutes prior to first pitch, a mild explosion cut off power to
Dick Howser Stadium until the fourth inning. That didn't deter "bulldog"
starter Scott Sitz who was magnificent in his second career start.
The freshman pitched six innings of two run baseball, only one of which
was earned. Sitz allowed four hits and two walks, but struck out four
Gator hitters.
"I just want to start with Mr. Scott Sitz, a freshman that goes out
there and really pitched with tremendous poise," said head coach Mike
Martin. "I think I have a new nickname that I am going to start with
that guy because if that is not bulldog, than I don't know what is. He
really got after it."
Sitz was unsure of whether he would be starting Tuesday's rivalry game
when on Sunday he began to suffer from soreness in his throwing
shoulder. The 5'10 right hander was told if he felt healthy, the nod
would go to him.
Sure enough, Sitz was ready to go and turned in maybe his best
performance of his career at any level.
"It's probably number one," said Sitz who improved to 2-0 on the season.
"I was really happy with the way I pitched.
"My change-up was working really great. Started in the bullpen, and
every change-up was good and it carried over into the game. I used that
pitch more than I did last week. My fastball was hitting my spots most
of the time. And then my curveball was working, and I kept that down
most of the game."
All of Florida State's run production came in the first two innings as
the Seminoles got out to a three-run lead in front of 6,526 people, and
the 8th biggest crowd in Dick Howser Stadium. It would prove to be
enough.
Florida State's defense played a huge role assisting Sitz in keeping the
Gators to two runs on the night.
Devon Travis started a double play with glove wizardry that Stephen
Cardullo finished with a strong throw to end the fifth inning. Fellow
infielder Sherman Johnson turned in yet another highlight by diving to
stop a ball, getting up to his feet, and beating the runner to third
base for the force out to end the sixth inning.
Such defensive efforts really injected life into the Florida State
dugout as the game progressed.
"Those plays were awesome to watch," said left fielder and closer Mike
McGee. "All day, we had the double play, that one got us fueled. The
defense was good tonight. I liked it. It was really fun."
The Seminoles turned the game over to the bullpen in the seventh inning
as relievers Geoff Parker, Daniel Bennett, and McGee kept the Gators
from scoring. Over the three combined innings pitched, Florida only
registered one hit, walked twice, and struck out four times.
"When we took him (Sitz) out, he was still strong, but we had a bullpen
that was ready to go," said Martin. "Geoff did an outstanding job,
Bennett did an outstanding job, and of course Michael came in did
another great job.
The victory gives Florida State a three to one game lead in the season
series which could prove to be a vital resume booster when the time for
post-season play draws near. When the NCAA selection committee looks at
seedings, head-to-head records can sometimes play a role.
"It could be big coming in May after they seed tournaments and we see
where we get seeded," said centerfielder Tyler Holt. "We just have to
play hard in the ACC and not take these midweek games lightly."
With a game less than 24 hours away against Jacksonville, Florida State
will still take time to celebrate the win.
"We are going to take some time to enjoy this all the way up until 6:00
p.m. tomorrow night," Holt said. "We are going to enjoy this. But we
have to understand that we have Jacksonville University tomorrow night."
Florida State will send Hunter Scantling to the hill on Wednesday night
to take on Dolphins right handed starter Chris Kaminski. Scantling's
first pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
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