May 22, 2004

Box Score

Winston-Salem, N.C. - Florida State used a four-run eighth inning to catapult to a 10-6 victory, completing the weekend sweep of Wake Forest on Saturday's Senior Day at Hooks Stadium in the regular season finale for both teams.

The Demon Deacons (17-32, 4-20 ACC) will play Maryland on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. in a first round, single elimination game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Salem, Va. The Seminoles (37-19, 16-8 ACC) locked up the three-seed and will face NC State on Wednesday night's late game.

Saturday's game saw three ties and four lead changes before Florida State pulled away in the eighth inning.

Florida State plated one run in the top of the first on Aaron Cheesman's RBI single. But the Deacons captured the lead in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run double by senior Brad Scioletti.

Wake Forest added a pair of runs in the second inning to stake a 4-1. A walk, single and hit batsman loaded the bases for Nick Blue. Then, Seminole starter Mark Sauls uncorked a wild pitch to score Doug Riepe from third. Moments later, Blue's RBI groundout scored Matt Miller.

The Seminoles came back to reclaim the lead in the fourth inning with four runs off Deacon starter Tim Morley. Morley, who did not factor in the decision, lasted six innings, allowed six runs on ten hits with two strikeouts and two walks.

But once again, the Deacons immediately stormed back to take the lead again. Riepe's solo homer tied the game at five. Later in the inning, Matt Antonelli singled home Miller as Wake Forest took a 6-5 lead.

Florida State tied the game at six in the sixth inning on an RBI groundout by Bryan Zech.

Wake Forest had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Deacons put runners on the corners for Scioletti, whose first inning double had given the Deacons their first lead. But this time, Florida State reliever Tyler Chambliss (2-1) got Scioletti to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

It was Florida State's second of four double plays of the game. The Seminoles turned eight twin killings on the weekend.

That set up the decisive eighth inning. Two singles and a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out for Florida State. With the infield playing for a play at the plate, Zech hit a slow roller between third base and shortstop. Ingold made the stop and fired home, but the throw was late and Gibbs Chapman scored to give FSU a 7-6 lead.

Moments later, Florida State designated hitter Eddy Martinez-Esteve hit a three-run home run to center fielder off reliever Charlie Mellies (3-3) and just out of the reach of a leaping Matt Miller. It was Martinez-Esteve's third home run of the series and it gave the Seminoles an insurmountable 10-6 lead.

Wake Forest threatened in the eighth and ninth innings, but grounded into double plays both times.