05-08-2004, 07:26 AM
Quote:James goes the distance as the Noles blank Virginia
by Drew Hankin
For the first time since June 1st, 2003 when Daniel Davidson did it against South Alabama, Rhett James (6-2) pitched a complete game for #24 Florida State, shutting out #7 Virginia on Friday night in front of a record crowd of 2430 at UVa Baseball Stadium in Charlottesville. James scattered four hits over his nine innings, and only walked two batters while striking out six. The Seminole offense was more than potent enough, cranking out eight runs in the first five innings, which included six doubles by FSU batters.
Gibbs Chapman led the batters with three hits, while Bryan Zech, Ryne Malone, and Eddy Martinez-Esteve each had two hits.
The Noles took the lead in the top of the first inning when Zech singled, went to second on a double by Stephen Drew, and scored on Martinez-Esteve's first of two doubles in the game. Aaron Cheesman then brought home Drew with a sacrifice fly that gave FSU a 2-0 lead. Martinez-Esteve then went to third on a single by Chapman, but was thrown out at the plate while trying to score on a passed ball.
Two innings later, FSU added to their lead when Martinez-Esteve and Cheesman were both hit by pitches before Chapman singled up the middle to score one. A perfectly executed double steal by Cheesman and Chapman gave the Seminoles one more run, before a single by Malone plated one more and gave the Noles a 5-0 lead.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Martinez-Esteve led off the fifth with his second double, went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Cheesman, and scored on a double to right-center by Chapman. Shane Robinson then doubled down the left-field line before and Malone joined in on the double-parade with one of his own to right-center that scored both baserunners to put the Seminoles ahead 8-0, and ended the night for UVA starter Andrew Dobies (6-2) who was the ACC's ERA leader going into Friday's game.
Florida State improved to 30-17 and 9-7 in conference while UVA fell to 36-10 and 14-5 in the ACC. The Noles and Cavs will hook up again on Saturday at 7:00 pm for game two of the series with Brian Schultz (5-0, 2.50 ERA) on the mound for FSU against Matt Avery (4-2, 2.85 ERA) for Virginia.
