May 29, 1999

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Chris Smith and Brett Groves drove in three runs each as Florida State moved within one game of winning its home regional by beating Jacksonville 9-2 Saturday night.

The Seminoles (50-12) shrugged off a rain delay of four hours before the game to move to the brink of reaching the NCAA Super Regional. With the NCAA tournament expanding from 48 to 64 teams this season, another layer of regionals was added before the College World Series.

Jacksonville (41-22) must play an elimination game Sunday against Providence, which beat The Citadel 12-1 in Saturday's first game. The winner of that contest advances to face Florida State later Sunday.

If the Seminoles lose Sunday afternoon, a second championship game will be played Monday at 11 a.m.

Nick Stocks (11-2) went six innings for the win, giving up just three hits and two runs. He struck out eight and walked three. Jacksonville's Nick Regilio (7-2) gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings.

The Seminoles held a slim 4-2 lead through eight innings, but broke things open with five runs in the ninth. Groves highlighted the outburst with a bases-loaded double and Marshall McDougall hit a solo homer. It was the 25th homer for McDougall, who hit six in one game against Maryland earlier this month.

Groves used his legs to break a 1-1 tie in the second. He beat out a bunt single, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.

Florida State scratched out another run in the sixth with Scott scoring from third on a fielder's choice.

Jacksonville cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom half of the sixth when Troy Veleber doubled and later scored on an error by third baseman Kevin Cash.