May 28, 2005

JACKSONVILLE, FL (AP) - Georgia Tech shortstop Tyler Greene had three hits including a three-run homer as Tech handed Florida State its worse loss in 23 years, beating the Seminoles 18-2 on Saturday in a game shortened to seven innings due to the 10-run rule, to move into the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

Georgia Tech (41-16) will meet Virginia in Sunday's championship game. Florida State drops to 50-18 on the season in suffering its worst loss since a 21-5 defeat to Georgia in 1982.

The Yellow Jackets started fast and closed with a flurry, scoring a pair of runs in the first and second innings before posting 7-run innings in the third and seventh. They cranked out 14 hits led by Greene's 12th home run of the season along with a double, single and walk in five at-bats. He also scored three runs and drove in three.

Tech built their lead to 11-0 after three innings when Green and Whit Robbins each stroked three-run homers in the third inning.

Florida State added single runs in the third and fifth innings with Ryne Malone's double driving home the first run and the second one scoring on a passed ball. Georgia Tech manager Danny Hall protested the call and was eventually ejected from the game by home plate umpire Tony Maners.

Tech's Danny Payne also added three hits while Robbins and Steven Blackwood each drove in three runs.

Jared Hyatt (3-2) relieved Georgia Tech starter Ryan Turner in the fifth inning and held FSU without a run or hit for 2 2/3 innings to get credit for the win, . FSU starter Hunter Jones (4-3) also threw 2 2/3 innings, but gave up six hits and nine runs (only two of which were earned).

The game was called after seven innings due to Tech's 16-run lead. The ACC instituted a 10-run rule or mercy rule for the tournament this year, in which games are ended if a team trails by 10 or more runs after having batted at least seven innings.