Baseball Falls 12-2 To No. 1 Florida State
April 8, 2000
Tallahassee, FL – No. 1 Florida State (34-5) scattered 12 runs and 16 hits throughout the game to ease past No. 12 Miami (24-11-1), 12-2, in the second game of a three-game series at Dick Howser Stadium.
FSU starter Mike Zieglar (7-1) went eight complete innings in the win, allowing all four Miami hits, two home runs, two walks and 11 strikeouts. FSU reliever Eric Roman came in for the final frame, loaded the bases, but was able to catch UM pinch-hitter Mark Walker swinging on strike three for the final out of the game.
FSU started quick as it put three runs on the scoreboard in the first inning on third baseman Marshall McDougall’s three-run home run over the right field screen off UM starter Brian Walker. Shortstop Brett Groves led off the inning with a bloop single to left center and advanced to second on a balk. The next FSU batter, left fielder John-Ford Griffin, moved Groves over to third with a single to right field just prior to McDougall’s at bat.
Miami right fielder Manny Crespo got the Hurricanes on the scoreboard in the second with a solo home run over the outfield screen in right center. The home run was Crespo’s fifth of the season.
UM second baseman Kris Clute narrowed the FSU lead further, 3-2, in the third with a solo home run over the right field screen. The home run was Clute’s second on the season.
FSU extended its lead, 5-2, with two run on three hits in the third inning. Griffin led off the inning with a walk off Walker and moved to second on a wild pitch. The next FSU batter, McDougall, reached on a fielder’s choice ground ball towards third base, where UM third baseman Kevin Howard tagged an advancing Griffin out. After McDougall stole second, FSU first baseman Ryan Barthelemy knocked him in with a double to right field. Seminole centerfielder Karl Jernigan then knocked Barthelemy in with a single up the middle.
The Seminoles put three more on the scoreboard for an 8-2 lead in the fifth on three hits and two UM errors. McDougall led off the inning with an infield single to UM shortstop Javy Rodriguez and moved to second two batters later on a walk to Jernigan. Rightfielder Chris Smith then hit a single to right field, rounded second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Crespo. On that play, McDougall scored on Crespo’s error, followed up with a throwing error by Walker that allowed Jernigan to score. The next batter designated Pichi Balet grounded out to Clute, but not before Smith scored the third run of the inning.
Sophomore pitcher Chris Sheffield made his return in the game after missing the last 23 games with a shoulder injury. Sheffield made his return in the seventh retiring all three batters he faced, two by strikeout, in the frame. In his 1.1 innings of work, Sheffield total one hit, two earned runs, one walk and three strikeouts. Walker, who Sheffield replaced, went six innings with 12 hits, eight runs, seven earned, three walks, one wild pitch, one balk with eight strikeouts.
FSU scored four more in the eighth inning to bring its lead to 12-2 over UM on four hits. Second baseman Bobby Spano led off the inning with a walk on Sheffield. Two batters later Groves singled to right field, moving Spano to third. UM reliever Alex Prendes came in and gave up a two-RBI double to Griffin, then two batters later gave up an RBI double to Barthelemy. Barthelemy later scored on a pass ball by catcher Greg Lovelady.
Miami and Florida State continue its three-game series on Sunday, April 9 at 1 p.m. at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee. The game will be televised by Sunshine Network.
