Florida State vs Virginia Baseball Recap

(5) Florida State 11, (1) Virginia 4

The University of Virginia Cavaliers (46-11) entered the ACC tournament as not only the number one seeded team in the ACC, but also the number one team in the nation.  Virginia followed its first ever College World Series appearance last year with perhaps its finest season ever.  After sporting the best regular season record in the ACC regular season, anything less than an ACC tournament championship would be a disappointment for the number one team in college baseball.

The Florida State Seminoles (40-17), on the other hand, began the game on a surprising four-game losing streak.  A three-game sweep by Clemson in the final series of the regular season cost the ‘Noles an outright Atlantic Division championship, while the first-game loss to Miami in the ACC tournament meant that the Seminoles would have to beat the number one team in the nation to remain in contention for the ACC tournament championship. 

Florida State jumped out early against the normally reliable Virginia starting pitcher Robert Morey on a Mike McGee home run in the bottom of the first inning.  However, the Cavaliers’ Steven Proscia tied the game at one in the next inning with a solo shot of his own.  The third hit of the game was also the third home run of the game, this one by Florida State’s Stephen Cardullo, his first of three long balls for the game.  The Seminoles added two more runs in the bottom of the second on a Sherman Johnson two-run single with the bases loaded. 

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The score remained 4-1 in favor of the Seminoles until the bottom of the fourth, when the ‘Noles added to the lead as Cavaliers starter Robert Morey lost his control.  After retiring Devon Travis on a popup, Morey walked Jayce Boyd and Tyler Holt in succession before allowing both to advance on a wild pitch.  Morey then struck out Sherman Johnson but gave up a bunt single to Mike McGee, which scored Boyd.  McGee promptly advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Holt remained at third.  Morey then loaded the bases by walking James Ramsey before all three base runners advanced on a wild pitch, scoring Holt and putting FSU up 6-1.  Morey then retired Stuart Tapley to end the inning, but the Cavaliers’ starter’s afternoon was complete, and Morey lost just his third game of the season to move his record to 9-3. 

Virginia, down 6-1 headed into the fifth inning, did not give up, as Chris Taylor drove in John Barr on a double and Phil Gosselin drove in a run on a rare sacrifice fly on a foul ball.  The 6-3 score is as close as the Cavs would get, as Steven Cardullo added two more late-inning home runs to give him three for the game.  Mike McGee also added his second homer of the game in the bottom of the eighth.  The two Seminoles combined to drive in seven of the team’s runs on five combined dingers. 

Florida State starting pitcher Brian Busch gave up three runs on only two hits in four and a third innings, however middle reliever Geoff Parker was credited with the win and moved to 4-1 on the year.  Parker gave up only one run in three and two-thirds of an inning.  Hunter Scantling pitched a hitless, scoreless ninth inning to seal the win for the Seminoles.

After Boston College’s win over Miami earlier, the Cavaliers’ and Seminoles’ side of the ACC bracket now has four teams with 1-1 records in the ACC tournament.  The Seminoles will advance to the ACC championship game with a win tomorrow over Boston College and a Virginia win over Miami.  The Cavaliers will advance with a win over Miami and a Boston College win over Florida State.  While Virginia is almost certain to host a regional, Florida State, coming off a four-game losing streak, may still need another win to make their case to host NCAA regional tournament games at Dick Howser Stadium.

By: John Cary
DFN Sports Guest Writer