May 15, 2004

Duke junior Bryan Smith recorded two RBI-doubles, but the Blue Devils fell to Florida State, 10-7, Saturday night at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. FSU scored seven runs in the first inning and fought off a Blue Devil rally to win the second game of the three-game series. Senior Bryan Zech led Florida State with a career-high four hits.

Duke got on the board with a run in the first inning. The Blue Devils loaded the bases with no one out, but managed to score just one run. Sophomore Javier Socorro reached on an error to start the game and after singles by juniors Senterrio Landrum and Tim Layden, scored on a double play ball.

FSU answered with seven runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 7-1 lead. The Seminoles sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning, which was highlighted by a two-run single by Eddy Martinez-Esteve and a two-run double by Shane Robinson.

The Blue Devils got one run back in the third inning when freshman Jonathan Anderson drew a lead-off walk, advanced to third on a single by Socorro and scored on a double play.

Martinez-Esteve gave the Seminoles a 10-2 lead in the bottom of the third with his 14th home run of the year, a three-run shot over the right-center field wall.

Duke made it a 10-4 game in the top of the fourth. Sophomore Mike Miello led off the inning with a single to right field and later scored on Smith's 13th double of the year. Smith scored the Blue Devils' second run of the inning on a sacrifice fly by sophomore John Berger.

The Blue Devils scored two runs in the top of the seventh on bases-loaded walks by Layden and sophomore Brian Hernandez to pull to within 10-6. Duke had opportunities for more, but left the bases loaded.

Duke capped the scoring with a run in the ninth. Layden hit a one-out single and advanced to second on a pinch-hit single by freshman Corey Whiting. He scored on Smith's second double of the night to make it a 10-7 game. The Blue Devils, who stranded nine runners on the night, had the tying run at the plate in the ninth inning, but left two runners on base as FSU escaped with the win.

Junior Greg Burke (5-6) took the loss after giving up 10 runs on 10 hits and three walks in 3.0 innings. Senior Kevin Thompson pitched well in relief, allowing just three hits in 5.0 scoreless innings.

Brian Schultz (6-1) allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks in 5.0 innings for the win. Kevin Lynch gave up one run in the final three innings for his fourth save of the year

Duke (23-26, 7-13 ACC) and Florida State (33-19, 12-8 ACC) will conclude their series on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.