Maryland
Florida State
No. 2 Seminoles Edge Terps In Series Finale, 3-2
5/6/2007 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 6, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Junior Brett Cecil made his first start of the 2007 season and tied two career highs with six strikeouts in 7.1 innings, but the No. 2 Florida State Seminoles outlasted the Maryland baseball team in the series finale Sunday at Shipley Field, 3-2.
The Seminoles (42-7, 20-4 ACC) picked up the series sweep after surviving a late rally by the Terrapins (25-27, 7-20), who scored two runs in the eighth inning on a single by sophomore Dan Benick.
Starter Danny Rosen (2-1) earned the victory after matching Cecil through 7.1 innings, striking out 12 batters while allowing both Maryland runs. Cecil (5-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) in his outing. Luke Tucker earned his first save of the year for the Seminoles.
Florida State's offense was led by Tony Thomas Jr. and Mark Hallberg, who each had a pair of hits. Hallberg notched the Seminoles' lone RBI with his single in the seventh inning. Maryland saw five players record hits, with Benick's two RBIs leading the way.
Cecil held the Seminoles at bay through four innings, but a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Hallberg allowed Thomas to score the game's first run.
In the seventh, Hallberg's RBI single expanded the lead to 2-0. FSU scored what amounted to the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning, when Tommy Oravetz induced an error which allowed Buster Posey to give the Seminoles a 3-0 lead.
Maryland's rally in the bottom half of the inning was started by a pair of singles by juniors Steve Braun and Joe Palumbo. After senior Brandon Mise grounded out to advance the runners into scoring position, Benick delivered a base hit through the right side which moved the Terps within one run.
However, Tucker pitched a perfect ninth inning to shut down the Terrapins and seal the victory.
Mise was one of four seniors honored prior to the game as part of the team's Senior Day. Over 700 fans recognized Mise, along with Casey Baron, Jon Greenwich, and Dan Melvin.
The Terps will host West Virginia on Tuesday in their final midweek contest of the season, as the team will take a 10-day break for final exams before closing out the 2007 regular season against ACC foe North Carolina. First pitch Tuesday is set for 6 p.m. from Shipley Field.
