March 11, 2006

Final Stats

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - The Maryland Terrapins fell to No. 2 Florida State, 6-2, on Saturday night at Dick Howser Stadium. After seizing an early lead, the Terps (6-8, 2-3 ACC) fell behind in the second inning and were unable to reclaim it.

For FSU, starting pitcher Tyler Chambliss (5-0) tossed the first complete game of his career, allowing two runs on seven hits. He struck out a career-best 15 Terp hitters.

Terp starter Ben Pfinsgraff (1-3) picked up the loss after allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five in 6.0 innings on the mound. After surrendering three runs in the first two innings, the senior settled down, at one point retiring 10 of 11 batters before leaving in the seventh with Maryland down by a run.

For the Terps, first baseman Gerry Spessard went 2-for-3 with a walk, run, RBI and a pair of doubles. He now has nine doubles on the season, placing him among the league leaders in that category. Catcher Chad Durakis went 2-for-4 with an RBI as he posted his second multi-hit game of the year.

Maryland took the early lead, scoring in the top of the first. Centerfielder Nick Jowers led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Dan Melvin. Spessard then brought the runner home on a double down the right field line to put the Terps up, 1-0. It marked the first time that Maryland scored in the first inning all season.

The `Noles fought back to claim the lead in the second inning. Third baseman Ryne Malone and shortstop Buster Posey began the inning with singles and, after a sacrifice bunt by second baseman Tony Thomas, Jr., FSU had runners on second and third with one down. Catcher Danny Diaz brought the first in on a groundout to second and designated hitter Tommy Oravetz drove in the go-ahead run on a single to left, making it 2-1. Florida State added one more run in the third when centerfielder Shane Robinson came in to score after a leadoff double.

The Terps closed the deficit to one in the top of the sixth. With one out, Spessard hit his second double of the day, and fourth in two games. After designated hitter Jon Greenwich struck out, Durakis knocked Spessard in on a two-out single to right to close the margin to 3-2.

In the seventh, Florida St. padded its lead with two runs to go up 5-2. Thomas singled off Pfinsgraff to start the inning, prompting the Terps to bring in right-hander Seth Overbey. After striking out the first batter he faced, Overbey committed a throwing error on a groundball back to the mound by the next hitter, allowing the runner to come around to score. Later in the inning, rightfielder Jack Rye would knock in pinch runner Josh Spivey from third base on a two-out single, giving Florida St. a three-run edge.