Quote:Game 1
UVA 202 020 000  6  8  0
FSU 010 001 000  2  7  1

W - Ballard (7-3)  L - Browning (3-3)  S - Doolittle (2)

Game 2
UVA 001 001 000  2  8  0
FSU 000 101 50X  7  8  0

W - Lynch (7-0)  L - Lambert (1-3)

Noles take the series by splitting with UVA
by Drew Hankin

The Florida State Seminoles split a doubleheader with the Virginia Cavaliers on Sunday, to earn the series win over a red-hot UVA team who swept Georgia Tech just last weekend. The Cavs showed in game one just how they were able to handle the Jackets, with strong pitching and solid defense.  Game two went the Noles way, with FSU getting some timely hits for a five-run seventh inning, and good pitching from starter Michael Hyde, reliever Kevin Lynch, and closer Tyler Chambliss.

In the early game, the Noles never got into any offensive rhythm, only managing two runs, both on solo homeruns. The first was hit by shortstop Ryne Jernigan in the second inning, and the other was a shot by Danny Wardell in the sixth. Barret Browning took the loss in game one, and never really had much control in the game. He only lasted 2.1 innings, and gave up four runs on just two hits, thanks to four walks. The good news from the game was that Hunter Jones had an excellent outing in relief. Jones gave up two runs on six hits, issuing just one walk while striking out four batters.

The game featured some fireworks in the eight inning when Seminole skipper Mike Martin was thrown out of the game by home plate umpire Reid Churchill after vehemently arguing about the strike zone.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, center fielder Shane Robinson and third baseman Ryne Malone led off the inning with walks, before left fielder Gibbs Chapman laid down a sacrifice bunt which moved the runners over. Catcher Aaron Cheesman then laid down another bunt which plated Robinson and tied the game at 1-1.

It looked as though the FSU offense wouldn't show up in game two as well, as Virginia starter Jeff Kamrath held the Tribe hitless heading into the fifth inning. While Florida State didn't score in the fifth, right fielder Jack Rye managed to break up the no-hitter with a bloop single to left-center.

In the next inning, a double by third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and a single by first baseman Sean Doolittle off of Hyde put runners on the corners with no outs. After a bit of delay due to Doolittle apparently rolling his ankle on the single, Lynch was brought in to get the Seminoles out of the jam. After giving up a base hit to right by designated hitter Bradnon Guyer that broke the tie, a sacrifice bunt that moved the runners up, and an intentional walk to load the bases, Lynch retired the final two batters of the inning with swinging strikeouts.

The Noles came right back in the bottom of the inning and tied it up again when Robinson singled to left, stole second, went to third on a balk, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Chapman.

The wheels came off for the Cavs in the seventh inning, when new pitcher Casey Lambert walked Jernigan to lead off the inning, and then gave up a double to pinch-hitter Brant Peacher. Rye then broke the tie with a single that scored both runners and put FSU ahead 4-2. Second baseman Tony Thomas Jr then moved Rye to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Robinson singled to right to put runners on the corners with one out.  After Robinson stole his thirty-seventh base of the season, Malone hit a three-run shot over the screen in right-center that gave the Seminoles a 7-2 lead.

Florida State is now 37-14 and 12-9 in the ACC, while UVA is 31-15, and 10-12 in the conference. The Noles have a day off on Monday before traveling to Gainesville for the final game of the Florida series on Tuesday. The game will be shown live on Sun Sports at 6:30 pm on Tuesday evening.

Game 1 Section B Online Player of the Game:
Hunter Jones (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER R, 1 BB, 4 K)

Game 2 Section B Online Player of the Game:
Kevin Lynch (W, 3.0 IP,  1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K)