March 16, 2013

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - No. 12 Florida State scored four runs in the sixth inning and held off a late Maryland rally to defeat the Terps, 7-6, and even the weekend series Saturday at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.

Maryland (12-6, 2-3 ACC) got three hits from Blake Schmit, who also scored three runs, and two hits from Michael Montville and LaMonte Wade to lead the team offensively. Both of Montville's hits went for extra bases. The junior recorded his first triple of the season and his fifth double.

Ben Brewster, Brandon Casas and Bobby Ruse pitched four innings of scoreless relief to keep Maryland close in the late innings.

The Terps jumped out to a 4-1 lead after three innings. Trailing 1-0 in the second, Kevin Martir and Schmit reached base to begin the inning. A single by Jose Cuas loaded the bases and Anthony Papio tied the game at one with a nicely placed bunt down the first base line.

A sacrifice fly from Charlie White gave Maryland the lead and Wade followed with a RBI single to left field to increase the Terrapins' advantage to 3-1. In the third, Montville tripled to right-center field scoring Schmit from first.

Florida State (17-1, 4-1 ACC) began its comeback in the fourth. A walk, single and double scored two Seminoles in the frame cutting Maryland's lead to 4-3.

In the sixth, FSU's Stephen McGee led off the inning with a home run to left center. Marcus Davis doubled down the right-field line and later scored on a double. John Sansone later singled scoring two more Seminoles. Florida State led 7-4 through 5-1/2 innings.

The Terps battled back with two outs in the Terrapin seventh. Montville doubled following a single from Schmit. Schmit scored on an error by the FSU shortstop to trim the deficit to two.

Trailing 7-5 in the ninth with runners at the corners and two outs, the Terps scored their sixth run on a line drive from Greg Olenski that was dropped by the Seminoles' shortstop. But Maryland would not get any closer as the next batter grounded out to second to end the game.

Florida State's Scott Sitz improved to 4-0, while Brady Kirkpatrick fell to 2-3. Robby Coles earned his third save for the Seminoles.

Maryland and Florida State close their weekend set Sunday at 1 p.m. at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.