March 26, 2010

Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Brett Harman was masterful for 7 1/3 innings, striking out nine and surrendering just one earned run, but an early Maryland mistake and a late Florida State home run gave the Seminoles a 4-1 win Friday night.

The Terps played nearly flawless defense for most of the evening behind Harman, but were unable to provide enough run support against Florida State starter Sean Gilmartin.

The Seminoles took a 1-0 lead in the first despite Harman pitching his way out of trouble. With runners on first and second and no outs, Harman got Mike McGee to ground into a double play, but Tyler Holt advanced to third on the play. Harman then struck out James Ramsey, but the pitch got past catcher Jack Cleary, allowing Holt to score and Ramsey to advance to first on the passed ball.

Florida State (17-4) added another run after Ramsey stole second and Stuart Tapley hit an RBI single. Both runs in the inning were unearned.

Maryland (9-13) got a run back in the seventh inning to bring the score to 2-1. David Poutier led off with a shot to left field that went off the wall, giving Poutier a double. Brandon Padula jumped on the first pitch he saw, slapping a single through the right side and advancing Poutier to third. Matt Marquis hit a sacrifice fly to center plating Poutier, but the Terps were unable to cause any further damage.

Harman again pitched out of trouble in the bottom of the seventh. He surrendered a leadoff double to Jayce Boyd, but induced two fly-ball outs and struck out Stephen Cardullo to end the inning.

The Terps were in position to tie it in the eighth after Jon Wilson doubled to right field with one out. Wilson's double caused Florida State head coach Mike Martin to go to the bullpen for Daniel Bennett, and the move paid off. The right-hander struck out Jack Cleary and Alfredo Rodriguez to end the Maryland threat.

Florida State added insurance runs in their half of the eighth. Harman struck out McGee to open the inning, but hit Ramsey with a pitch on a 2-2 count. With Harman's pitch count over 100, Dan Gentzler moved from first base to pitcher and got ahead of Tapley with a 1-2 count. On the next pitch, however, Tapley hit a home run just over the right field wall, giving Florida State a 4-1 lead.

Harman (3-3), who entered the day second in the conference in innings pitched, made his fourth consecutive start of at least seven innings. He gave up three runs, only one of them earned, in suffering his first loss in conference action. His nine strikeouts tied a season-high.

Gilmartin (4-1) earned the win for Florida State, giving up one earned run on six hits while striking out seven.

Jon Wilson went 2-for-3 and Brandon Padula went 2-for-4 to lead Maryland offensively. Padula now has 13 multiple-hit games this season.

The Terps and Seminoles play game two of the three-game set Saturday at 6 p.m. LHP Adam Kolarek (1-1, 4.50) will take on fellow lefty John Gast (3-1, 3.42). The game will be televised on FS Florida and FS Atlantic.