May 26, 2006

Box Score | Quotes | Tournament Central

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.(AP) - Florida State erupted for seven runs in the third inning highlighted by Ryne Malone's three-run homer as the Seminoles routed Virginia 11-0 in an elimination game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament held at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The game was called at the end of 6 ½ innings due to the league tournament's 10-run rule in the seventh inning.

The win sends Florida State into Saturday's semifinal game against unbeaten NC State. The Seminoles must beat the Wolfpack twice in order to advance to Sunday's championship game.

FSU is trying to repeat the previous two occasions (1993 and 1994) when it lost the first game of the ACC Tournament. In 1993, the Noles rebounded to win three consecutive games and then in '94, FSU won its next four games after opening with a loss.

Florida State (41-18) sent 11 men to bat in the third inning, collecting seven hits to score its seven runs. The first six batters reached base safely on three singles, a pair of doubles and a walk to produce four runs. Malone then cleared the bases with a long shot over the 380-foot mark in right centerfield for his 12th home run of the year.

The Seminoles added a single run in the fourth inning and finished their scoring with three more runs the following inning. Travis Anderson stroked his third home run of the year to bring in two of the runs. Shane Robinson brought home the 11th and final run with a single off the first baseman's glove.

FSU junior right hander Michael Hyde scattered eight hits over seven innings. Hyde (8-1) had only one 1-2-3 inning and allowed at least two runners in four of the seven innings. Virginia (46-13) stranded 12 runners while the Seminoles left five players on base.

Anderson led the Noles 13-hit attack with three hits while four other FSU players had a pair of hits.

Brandon Marsh, Tom Hagan and Patrick Wingfield all collected two of Virginia's eight hits. The Cavs had beaten Florida State 6-2 in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday.