Quote:Seminoles open the season with a one-hitter
by Drew Hankin

The Florida State baseball team opened the 2005 campaign with a 2-1 one-hitter win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on a chilly and blustery Friday afternoon at Dick Howser Stadium.  Pitchers Mark Sauls, Kevin Lynch, and Tyler Chambliss combined for a gem of a pitching performance, with CSU's sole hit and run coming in the top of the 5th inning.

Sauls started strong but lost his control as the innings wore on, and by the 5th inning, had given up 5 walks before being pulled.  Lynch (1-0) earned the win with 3.1 innings in relief, giving up only one hit while striking out five batters without any walks.  He was able to get out of a two-on, two-out jam in the fifth, and another in the 8th inning when the tying run was stranded on 3rd.  Chambliss picked up the save with a perfect 9th inning to end the game.

Catcher Aaron Cheesman and centerfielder Shane Robinson were the offensive stars of the game; Cheesman with a single and and both RBIs, and Robinson with two singles and a stolen base.  The only Seminole extra-base hit came from third baseman Bryan Henry, who laced a ball to right-center in the 6th inning.

The Noles picked up their first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st when Robinson led off the game with a single, moved to second on a groundout by Gibbs Chapman, stole third, and scored when Cheesman hit into a fielder's choice to the shortstop.

FSU made it 2-0 in the bottom of the 3rd when shortstop Nick Francis got on base with an infield single, went to 2nd on a groundout by second baseman Tony Thomas Jr, and scored on a single to right by Cheesman.

Charleston Southern's only run came in the top of the 5th when 1st baseman Graham Maiden reached on an error by Francis, was bunted over to 2nd, moved to 3rd on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch by Sauls.

While FSU did have an error in the game, the young infield was very impressive overall, particularly the play of Henry at 3rd base.

With the win, the Seminoles won their home-opener for the 24th time in a row, and are now 50-7 overall on opening day.  Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 2:00 with sophomore right-hander Michael Hyde on the mound for FSU against senior righty Ian Holmen for the Bucs.

Saturday's weather does not look good at all for the game, so you might want to keep an eye on Section B Online, the SBOMB, or an ear on 1270 WFLA for updates on postponements or delays.

Section B Online Player of the Game:
Kevin Lynch (Win, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K)