March 17, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Second baseman Marshall McDougall drove in five runs on three hits as No. 1 Florida State (21-3) came back from a 4-0 deficit to post an 8-4 victory over The Citadel (9-9) at Dick Howser Stadium.

Left-hander Zach Diaz (1-0) hurled five scoreless innings of relief, allowing just two hits, and retiring the side in order three times. Diaz struck out four batters in the outing.

Reliever Jay Morgan (1-1) gave up four runs on four hits and four walks in three innings pitched in the loss for The Citadel.

The Citadel jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on three basehits and two walks. Bulldogs' leftfielder Stuart Jordan contributed an RBI-single, third baseman Aaron Haigler walked with the bases loaded to force home second baseman Tavy Smalls and catcher Heath Higgins drove in Jordan with a sacrifice fly.

In the second inning, centerfielder Chris Morris reached on an error by third baseman Chris Hart and scored on a basehit by Jordan to increase The Citadel's lead to 4-0.

McDougall belted a two-run homer to leftfield in the third inning to cut the lead to two runs. Designated-hitter reached on an error by Bulldogs' rightfielder Rodney Hancock and scored on a throwing error by Morris to make the score 4-3.

The Seminoles tied the score in the sixth as The Citadel walked FSU's first four batters in the sixth inning, including shortstop Brett Groves who walked with the bases loaded to tie the game. McDougall then drove in catcher Jeremiah Klosterman on a fielder's choice as the Seminoles took a 5-4 advantage.

Bobby Spano walked with the bases loaded in the seventh adding another run to FSU's total and McDougall ripped a two-run basehit to left field for some insurance as the Seminoles increased their lead to 8-4.

Freshman right-hander Chris Smith surrendered four runs on six hits in three innings pitched in his first career start on the mound.

CITADEL 310 000 000 -- 4 9 3 
FSU     003 002 30x -- 8 6 2 

E-Morris, Hancock, Haigler, Hart, Futrell.
DP-Citadel 1, FSU 1. LOB-Citadel 9, FSU 11.
HR-McDougall (9).