FSU Baseball This Week

Friday :FSU @ Boston College (Henry) 3:00
Saturday: FSU @ Boston College (Chambliss) 1:00
Sunday: FSU @ Boston College (?) 1:00

Quote:WEEKLY RELEASE: No. 3 FSU Baseball Heads To Boston For First Ever Series With BC

The Eagles will be the 151st team Mike Martin has faced in his 27 years at Florida State.

FSU VS. BC - THE SERIES
This weekend's three game series is the first between the two teams. Boston College joined the ACC this year after leaving the Big East in 2005. Last year, the Eagles took 2nd place in the Big East with a 17-8 conference record (37-20 overall). The 37 wins were a record for Boston College baseball. Heading into Wednesday night's game versus Northeastern, the Eagles were 15-12 and 4-8 in the ACC, while Florida State is 28-4 (9-3). For head coach Mike Martin, Boston College will be the 151st team he has faced. In his career, Martin has a record of 212-37 in the first meeting or series against an opponent. That gives Martin a .851 winning percentage against first-time opponents. The last team Florida State faced for the first time was Brown, which FSU swept in a three game series. Florida State has not lost to a first-time opponent since February 1st, 1998 (Tennessee, 3-5).


UN-WELCOME WAGON
When the Seminoles face an ACC opponent for the first time, they don't exactly extend the welcome mat to their new conference partners. Florida State holds a 20-9 (.689) record when facing an ACC opponent for the first time in a conference match up. The Seminoles have swept four of those teams (Maryland, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Wake Forest), and have only been on the losing end of the series twice (Clemson and Miami). In those 29 games, FSU has outscored their opponents 204-128, and have scored double-digit runs nine times. This is the sixth time a conference rivalry will begin away from Dick Howser Stadium, and of those six series, Florida State holds a 9-6 record.

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
There is no doubt if you want to make it to Omaha you have been able to win on the road. The 2006 Seminoles have answered a lot of the questions surrounding this team coming into the season but they still need to show they can win in an opponent's park. While the team's 22-0 record at home is impressive, critics will point to the squad's 6-4 mark on the road. Three of FSU's four road defeats came to a top five team in North Carolina (1-2) and a tough SEC squad at Auburn but there is no doubt with road series remaining versus BC and top 25 teams Wake Forest and Clemson the Seminoles will need to be ready to win away from home. Teams are always going to play better at home. That is just a fact of life and winning 60% of your road games is a pretty good number but there are a few categories that the Seminoles would love to see improvement in when it comes to playing on the road. First off is slugging percentage where FSU is slugging 165 points less away from home (.571 to .406). Florida State also needs to do a better job of hitting with runners on base. While the Seminoles are stranding slightly more runners on base at home (9.1 versus 8.7), they are doing much better hitting in crucial situations at home as compared to the road. With runners on base, in scoring position and with the bases loaded FSU is batting 84 points higher at home than on the road (.355 versus .271). FSU will also need to improve on its .264 road batting average and lower its average of 7.5 strikeouts per game. There are some areas where the Seminoles are really doing well away from home. FSU is fielding better on the road (.971 versus .969) and the pitching staff is doing a very good job of holding teams to a batting average of just .262 away from Mike Martin Field. After facing Andrew Miller last week it is understandable that the team's average versus lefties would drop but the Seminoles would like to do better than their .204 average versus southpaws.

K ALERT
The transition from Tyler Chambliss to Luke Tucker couldn't be going any better for FSU. Chambliss is proving he is among the best starters in the nation this year with a 7-1 record and a 1.93 ERA and Tucker is doing more than his fair share closing games. The junior closer is now leading the team with a 1.76 ERA, a .113 opponent batting average and seven saves. He has been nothing short of phenomenal especially as of late. In his last seven outings he has fanned two or more batters six times. He has struck out the side three times and fanned two of the three batters he faced the other three times. After striking out 13 batters in his first 10 appearances, Tucker has Ked 15 in his last seven games. He is leading the team with an average of 16.43 K's per nine innings of work. What Tucker has done is pretty special and if you don't believe it yet just look at how his numbers compare to what Chambliss did last season in an All-ACC campaign where he was one of the top closers in America. At this point last year Chambliss' numbers were amazing as he was 4-1 with seven saves. His ERA was just 0.89 and his opponent batting average was .171. He had 32 strikeouts and nine walks. Those numbers were unbelievably good but not that far ahead of where Tucker is right now.

BUSTER, WHAT IT IS RIGHT NOW
Freshman shortstop Buster Posey continues to impress. The Georgia native has started every game for FSU so far as a true freshman and his .352 average is fourth-best on the squad and he is in the top five on the team in nine different offensive categories. Probably one of the most impressive things about Posey is the fact he has drawn 19 walks, which is the second-most on the team. That's not the only thing he is doing to impress though. Posey already has 14 multi-hit games and eight multi-RBI games, which rank in the top three on the team. He has only been held hitless six times all season and he has recorded a hit in 12 of his last 13 games. He is hitting a team-best .515 versus left-handed pitching and reaching base 50% of the time when starting an inning. Posey isn't just putting up impressive numbers in the big stat categories he is also doing the little things that help a team to a 28-4 start and top five ranking. The freshman is scoring runners from third base with less than two outs 81% of the time, second-best on the team and advancing runners successfully 49% of the time. He also leads the team with a .750 average when bunting for base hits.

BOUNCE BACK
Brent Marsh has been a huge addition to the Seminole bullpen in 2006. The former South Carolina closer is 2-1 this year and holding opponents to a .172 batting average. He has 14 K's and has only issued two walks in 18 innings of work. Marsh has really shown as of late what made him one of the SEC's top closers last season. After a couple of rough outings where he allowed six runs to Maryland and Virginia Tech, Marsh has rebounded quite nicely to say the least. In his last four appearances Marsh has allowed just two hits and one run. That really isn't that surprising if you look at his season as a whole. Without those two outings versus the Terps and Hokies, Marsh has not allowed a run in 11 of his other 13 appearances and given up just one run in each of those other two outings. Marsh's ERA is currently 4.00 but if you look at his numbers minus just two regrettable appearances, they are better than any Seminole hurler. Minus the two games versus Virginia Tech and Maryland, Marsh has a team-best 1.10 ERA, a .113 opponent batting average, 13 K's, one walk and two wins.

PEN PALS
There is no questioning the job FSU's starting pitchers have done this season. Bryan Henry, Tyler Chambliss, Barret Browning and Michael Hyde have been spectacular. The FSU starters are 25-2 with a combined 2.88 ERA. They have issued 64 free passes and struck out 119 batters for a ratio of almost two K's per walk. If you ask anyone of those four guys though, they will tell you a lot of that success, especially when it comes to that .926 winning percentage, is due to the bullpen. FSU relievers have appeared in 31 games this season and in 22 of those appearances they have allowed one earned run or less. They have a combined record of 4-2 with eight saves as a group. There have been 20 games this year when the bullpen has been called on to work three or more innings and the pen is 4-1 with five saves in their longest outings of the season.


MAC-Z-MIZING HIS TIME
One of the most pleasant surprises of the 2006 campaign has been the play of Dennis Guinn. The sophomore first baseman provided FSU with a power threat it hasn't seen since the days of John-Ford Griffin and Marshall McDougall. He has 46 RBIs already this season and nine homers both lead the team but the sophomore will be sidelined indefinitely with a case of mononucleosis. As has been the case all season, someone will need to step up to fill those shoes and that someone will be Ryan McArdle. The transfer has been very good in a limited role so far in 2006. McArdle is hitting .387 and slugging .645 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs. He gets on base 50% of the time to start an inning and is also hitting .400 versus lefties but he has some big shoes to fill. Statistically the biggest drop off between Guinn and McArdle is in the area of clutch hitting. Guinn was batting .442 with runners in scoring position this year compared to just .222 for McArdle. With only one start at first base under his belt, McArdle will need to adjust quickly. Guinn's offensive numbers have overshadowed his stellar defense as he has posted a .982 fielding percentage this season. McArdle has shown he can hit coming off the bench but he will now need to prove he can do it on a regular basis as a starter. In three starts, two as a DH and one at first, McArdle is hitting .444 with two runs scored. The only thing troubling with his numbers is he has yet to drive in a run or record an extra base hit in a start, although it has been just three
games.

McArdle is next in a line that is longer than the FSU coaches would have hoped of players asked to step up for an injured teammate. One the positive side every one of those players has responded. When Mark Gildea went down with a hamstring injury, Travis Anderson came in and hit .500 and slugged .700 before suffering his own injury. Anderson was replaced by Ryan Strauss and all he has done in 16 starts since then is recorded a hit in 15 of those contests and recorded multiple hits in nine of those 16 games. Since replacing Anderson, Strauss is hitting .397 and slugging .603 with nine RBIs. When the rash of injuries hit the outfield it caused some defensive shifting and Charles Cleveland was called upon to play third base as Ryne Malone moved into the outfield. In his three starts as a replacement Cleveland hit .400 with four RBIs and five walks. The left field spot isn't the only position that has suffered the injury bug. When Danny Diaz injured his wrist and couldn't play versus Virginia Tech another FSU back-up came in and did the job. Kyle Maxie stepped in behind the plate for Diaz and hit .333 and posted an on base percentage of .571. So as bad as it is to suffer injuries, this Seminole team has not only shown it is deep but that it is ready to perform when called upon.

Top of the 1st


1st batrter is Shane and he walks.

Shane is out at 2nd after Shane tries to steal...

Jack Rye strikes out...

Buster Posey is up...and he strikes out.

Top of the 2nd

Ryne Malone strikes out... 1 out

Tony Thomas, Jr. hits a base hit... he's on 1st

Travis Anderson is up...

Ugh, Tony is picked off 1st...

McArdle is up and strikes out...

Top of the 3rd

Strauss flies out...

Danny Diaz is up... Danny walks...

Shane is up... Shane lines one to the outfield and the outfielder overruns the ball. Danny is now on 3rd and Shane is on 2nd. One out...

Jack Rye is up...

Wild pitch and Danny Diaz scores Shane is now on 3rd...

Seminoles 1
Eagles 0

Rye is hit by the pitch...

Runners now on 1st and 3rd

Coach for BC is out to the mound...

Buster Posey is up... 1-2... Posey strikes out, but Rye steals 2nd.

2 outs...

Malone is up... 3-0... 3-2... Ugh and Malone strikes out...

Top of the 4th

Tony Thomas, Jr. is up... Tony strikes out...

It now raining in Boston...

Travis Anderson singles and is now on 1st...

McArdle is up... High popup and there's 2 outs...

Ryan Strauss is up and he hits it and it's caught...

Top of the 5th

Danny Diaz gets a base hit. He's on 1st with no outs...

Shane Robinson is up.... base hit for Shane...

Danny goes to 3rd and when the ball was thrown to 3rd, Shane goes to 2nd.

No outs!

Jack Rye is up. It's time for a hit Jack!!! 3-2... And Jack walks!

Bases loaded...

And the Coach walks to the mound again...

Buster Posey is up... 1-2 after Buster hits 2 foul balls... And Buster gets an infield single and Danny scores...

No outs...

Seminoles 2
Eagles 0

Malone is up... 3-0... and Malone walks and another run scores! Shane comes home and the bases are still loaded with NO Outs!!!


Seminoles 3
Eagles 0



New pitcher for BC!

The Seminoles visited Fenway Park yesterday. Needless to say, the players were thrilled!

Tony Thomas, jr is up... 1-2 to Tony... 3-2... fly ball and the catch is made... but Jack Rye scores and the other base runners move up...

Seminoles 4
Eagles 0

Travis Anderson is up... base hit for Travis; another run scores and Travis tries to get to 2nd and he's out! Mike is out to question the ump about the shortstop interferring with the base runner.

Seminoles 5
Eagles 0

Runner on 3rd...

McArdle is up... basehit for McArdle and Malone scores!

Seminoles 6
Eagles 0

9th batter is up for the Seminoles!

Strauss is up... 1-0 and a walk to Strauss.

Danny Diaz is up... groundball for Diaz and the ball hit the fielder chest and goes into left field. They charge an error to BC. McArdle scores from 2nd base and the score is now...

Seminoles 7
Eagles 0

Shane Robinson is up... and Shane strikes out.


Great inning for the Seminoles!

Top of the 7th

Tony is up... Tony strikes out...

Travis is up... Travis gets a base hit...

McArdle gets a base hit... runners on 1st and 2nd with one out...


Malone is up... 1-2 to Ryne 2-2

Noles have the BEST record in the ACC!

Malone hits a fly ball and it's caught... 2 outs


Danny is up... Ugh... Danny strikes out...BUT


Seminoles 7
Eagles 0

Bottom of the 7th

Noles turn a double play...

Bryan Henry has struck out 5!

Top of the 8th

Danny and Shane strike out... Posey hits a double... Posey steals 2nd...

Malone hits a high fly ball and it's caught...


Seminoles 7
Eagles 0

Bottom of the 8th

Jimmy Marshall is in to pitch for the Seminoles.

Bryan Henry and another great outing pitching today for the Seminoles

Top of the 9th

Tony strikes out...

Travis Anderson is up... Travis is having a good day and he is 3 for 3... and Travis hits a popup and is now 3 for 4 today.

2 outs...

It's still raining...

And Seminoles go 3 up and 3 down... and on to the bottom of the 9th we go...

Bottom of the 9th

Jimmy strikes out the 1st batter of the inning... Great job freshman!

The 2nd batter pops up and it's caught...

Oops, the Seminoles fielders can't come up with the ball... ERROR, ERROR, ERROR

Boston College scores their 1st run when the batter hits a triple.

There goes the Noles shutout... again!

Seminoles 7
Eagles 1

Good God, Jimmy hits the batter...

And Strauss catches a high fly ball and the BALL GAME IS OVER. SEMINOLES WIN 7-1

Quote:FSU 001 060 000 7 11 1
BC 000 000 001 1 6 2

W - Henry (8-1) L - Jeanes (1-3)

FSU's first trip to Boston College starts off with a win
by Drew Hankin

In the first ever meeting between the two schools, #3 Florida State used a great pitching performance from Bryan Henry (8-1) and a six-run fifth inning to cruise past the Boston College Eagles, 7-1. Of FSU's eleven hits in the game, every one of them were singles, save for shortstop Buster Posey's eighth inning double. The freshman shortstop was one of four Seminole batters with multiple-hit games. Posey, center fielder Shane Robinson, and first baseman Ryan McArdle all had two hits in the game, while designated hitter Travis Anderson had three singles to lead the Noles on offense.

The news at the plate wasn't all good however, as Boston College pitchers struck out a season high fourteen Seminoles. The previous season mark came last Friday in a 4-0 loss to North Carolina. In that game, Andrew Miller had nine Ks by himself. The Eagles spread these fourteen out a bit more among five pitchers.

For the Seminoles, Henry struck out five batters in his seven complete innings, giving up just four hits and no runs while walking two. Jimmy Marshall pitched the final two frames for the Tribe, and gave up an unearned run in the ninth inning after a two-out Posey error.

After two scoreless innings to start the game, FSU finally broke the seal in the top of the third inning when catcher Danny Diaz drew a one-out walk and went to third on a Robinson single to left-center that extended his team-leading hitting streak to twenty games. A wild pitch by Eagle starter Nate Jeanes allowed Diaz to score, and gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead.

Florida State has scored more runs in the fifth this year than in any other inning. The pattern held true against BC, with six runs that blew the game wide open. Diaz led off the inning with a single to left, and went to third on another base hit by Robinson. Right fielder Jack Rye then drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Posey, who had struck out twice before, then reached on an infield single that brought home Diaz and extended the Seminole lead to 2-0. Third baseman Ryne Malone drew a walk that forced in Robinson, and after a pitching change by the Eagles, second baseman Tony Thomas Jr hit a sacrifice fly to center field that brought home Rye, and moved both runners up a base. Anderson then singled to center to plate Posey, but was thrown out trying to take second base on the play. McArdle, playing first base for Dennis Guinn who could be out up to a month due to a bout of mononucleosis, then singled through the left side to score Malone. After left fielder Ryan Strauss walked, Diaz reached base on an error by the BC shortstop that allowed McArdle to come home and score FSU's final run of the game.

FSU improved to 29-4 on the season, and 10-3 in the ACC. BC fell to 16-13, and 4-9 in conference play. Mike Martin is now 213-37 in the first meeting or series against an opponent. Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 with Tyler Chambliss (7-1) on the mound for the Noles.

Section B Online Player of the Game:
Bryan Henry (7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K)

Quote:FSU 000 501 100 7 7 2
BC 100 013 000 5 14 4

W - Browning (6-0) L - Doyle (2-3) S - Marsh (1)

Thomas' slam powers the Noles over BC
by Drew Hankin

With the aid of a fourth inning grand slam home run by second baseman Tony Thomas Jr, the Florida State baseball team completed the sweep over the Boston College Eagles, 7-5 in Sunday's series finale in Chestnut Hill, MA. The Seminoles' third grand slam of the season broke a 1-1 tie, and the Tribe never gave up the lead, adding an insurance run in the sixth on Ryne Malone's eighth homer of the year, and an unearned run in the seventh. For the season, the Noles have now hit forty-three home runs compared to just sixteen at this point a year ago.

Barret Browning (6-0) earned the win with five innings on the mound, marking the first time in three starts that he was able to pick up a win. Browning gave up only two runs on seven hits to the pesky BC squad, who wound up with fourteen hits in the game, including at least one in each inning except the ninth. Travis Burge, Brian Chambers, and Brent Marsh also saw time on the mound, with Marsh picking up his first save as a Seminole with a quick six-pitch ninth inning.

The Eagles scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, and held on to it until FSU exploded for five in the fourth frame. Center fielder Shane Robinson, playing with a sore back, led off the inning with a single up the middle, went to second when right fielder Jack Rye drew a walk, and third on an infield single by shortstop Buster Posey. After Malone hit into a fielder's choice, the Boston College first baseman threw the ball away, allowing Robinson to score the tying run. Two pitches later, Thomas' shot to left cleared the bases, and gave Florida State a 5-1 lead.

BC narrowed the Seminole lead to three in the bottom of the fifth with a run, but Malone's home run to right center brought the margin back to four runs in the top of the sixth. That gap would be short-lived, as the Eagles picked up three runs off of Burge in bottom of the inning with three consecutive hits and left the Noles with just a 6-5 edge. The damage could have been a lot worse, but Robinson threw out a runner at the plate who was trying to tag up on a fly ball, that ended the inning.

FSU extended that lead to two in the next inning when Rye reached second on an error, went to third after two walks by the Eagles, and scored when Thomas walked with the bases loaded. For the day, Thomas had five RBIs.

With the sweep, the Seminoles improved to 31-4 and 12-3 in conference play, the best record in the ACC. BC fell to 16-15-1 and 4-11 on the season. FSU now has a couple of days off before heading to Jacksonville for the second time this season. Game time is 6:00 with Michael Hyde (6-0, 4.64 ERA) expected to start for Florida State.

Section B Online Player of the Game:
Tony Thomas Jr (1-3, 1 R, 5 RBI, BB, Grand Slam HR)