May 20, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. (theACC.com) -- Florida State, which compiled the ACC’s best regular season record, opened its bid to claim the 2009 ACC Baseball Championship Wednesday with a 7-2 victory over Boston College.

Riding a strong starting performance by All-ACC pitcher Sean Gilmartin (W, 11-2), the Seminoles (41-14) seized the lead in the fourth on leftfielder Mike McGee’s majestic two-run homer over the Blue Monster in left at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Boston College (31-24) closed the gap when catcher Tony Sanchez singled in a run in the top of the sixth, but the Eagles ran themselves out of a potential big inning when Sanchez was later thrown out at the plate on leftfielder Mike Belfiore’s double into the left-centerfield gap.

Florida State widened the lead in the bottom of the inning on a defensive breakdown by the Eagles. FSU shortstop Stephen Cardullo opened the frame with a double, then scored when BC starting pitcher John Leonard (1-4) threw McGee’s sacrifice bunt into the bullpen. The errant throw allowed McGee to reach second and he later scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Tommy Oravetz.

The Seminoles broke the game open an inning later, scoring three runs off a pair of BC relievers. The big blow was second baseman Jason Stidham’s bases-loaded double that drove in two runs. Third baseman Stuart Tapley drove in the final run with a long sacrifice fly to center.

The Eagles managed just five hits and one run in six innings off Gilmartin. Relievers John Gast and Tyler Everett combined to allow only one run in the final three innings to protect the victory.

Boston College will be back in action in the round-robin portion of the event Thursday, when the Eagles face Georgia Tech at noon. Florida State will take on Miami at 4 p.m.