No. 9 Miami Falls in Finale at No. 6 FSU, 7-6
April 25, 2010
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the second straight day, No. 6 Florida State won in walk-off fashion over No. 9 Miami, hitting a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to win 7-6 Sunday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium. The series loss was just the second in seven conference series for Miami (29-11, 15-6 ACC).
Ahead 6-5 going into the bottom of the ninth, reliever Sam Robinson walked the lead-off man before being relieved by Taylor Wulf. Wulf got the first two batters he saw to strike out swinging, bringing the `Canes within an out of the game and the series. However, FSU’s No. 3 hitter – Mike McGee – worked the count full before hitting the two-run shot to right-center to give FSU (31-10, 14-7 ACC) the series win.
McGee, who started in leftfield but came in to pitch in the eighth, gave himself the win with the homer. McGee (3-0) tossed scoreless ball over the final 1 2/3 innings in addition to going 2-for-4 from the plate.
The loss for Wulf (0-1) was his first of the season. Starter Jason Santana left with the lead after allowing four runs on five hits while walking four and striking out three in six innings of work. Travis Miller allowed an unearned run in relief of Santana while Robinson allowed his first run of the year in 2/3 innings work.
The Hurricanes lost despite belting four homers and out-hitting FSU 12-to-6. Yasmani Grandal went 2-for-2 with a homer, a double and two runs scored, Frankie Ratcliff had a 3-for-4 day with a homer, while Nathan Melendres recorded multiple hits for the second time in as many days, going 2-for-4 with a run.
In addition to McGee, Jayce Boyd also had a pair of hits for FSU, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
FSU starter Scott Sitz lasted just two innings, allowing four hits – including the three first inning homers – while walking two and striking out two. Five FSU relievers bridged the gap from Sitz to McGee.
Three of UM’s first four batters in the top of the first homered. Stephen Perez led off the game with an opposite field shot to left before Ratcliff followed with one of his own to right. After a Scott Lawson fly out, Grandal hit a deep shot to left-center to quickly give the `Canes the 3-0 advantage.
FSU responded an inning later with two homers of their own as Sherman Johnson’s two-run shot to right was immediately followed by Devon Travis’ solo shot to left-center to tie the game up at 3-3.
Miami struggled to bring runners in over the next few innings, leaving the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings before back-to-back, two-out doubles by Grandal and Martinez in the fifth put the `Canes back on top, 4-3.
Melendres reached on an error to start the sixth before Zeke DeVoss hit a towering shot over the big wall in right to put the `Canes up 6-3.
Boyd got one of those runs back in the bottom of the sixth, leading off the frame with a solo shot to right.
The Hurricanes again left the bases loaded in the top of the eighth and stranded a total of 12 runners for the second straight day.
A failed pick-off attempt in the bottom of the inning allowed James Ramsey to come around and score from second to bring the Seminoles to within one after eight.
The Hurricanes will return home for a seven-game homestand at Alex Rodriguez Park beginning with a Tuesday night game against St. Thomas at 6 p.m.
For tickets, call 1-800-GO-CANES or visit www.hurricanesports.com.
SERIES NOTES
– Yasmani Grandal reached base on 10-of-14 plate appearances in the series, going 4-for-8 with a homer, two doubles, six walks and four runs scored. For the series, he slugged 1.125 and had an on-base percentage of .714.
– Nathan Melendres and Chris Pelaez also had big weekends at the plate for the `Canes. Melendres finished 5-for-11 with four RBI and two runs scored while Pelaez went 6-for-14 with three RBI and three runs scored.
– The `Canes hit seven home runs on the weekend, including two homers by Frankie Ratcliff and Stephen Perez.
– Making his 18th appearance on the year and his third in the series, lefty reliever Sam Robinson finally allowed his first run of the year on Sunday.
– The Hurricanes held a lead from the sixth inning until the ninth in all three games.
– Miami out-hit FSU 30-to-21 in the series.
