Sports > April 3, 2008

By Jeff Merski | Senior writer

The baseball team was able to snap a six-game losing streak against No. 2-ranked Florida State on March 29, but the Deacons continued to struggle the rest of the week, dropping their series against the Seminoles as well as falling against UNC-Wilmington and Coastal Carolina in a midweek contest.

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Senior catcher Austin Jones swings at the ball March 30 against Florida State at home. Jones scored two runs in the weekend series against the Seminoles. (Jeff Merksi/Old Gold & Black)

The Deacons opened up their series against FSU on March 28, dropping the contest by a score of 21-2. The loss was also the sixth straight game in which the pitching staff allowed at least 12 runs to be scored.

The Seminoles jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, with Jason Stidham and Buster Posey hitting back-to-back home runs off of starter senior Ben Hunter.

Junior first baseman Allen Dykstra responded in the second inning, hitting a towering shot to right field for his eighth home run of the season.

However, Florida State quickly answered Dykstra’s blast by putting up an additional three runs in the third inning, and then broke the game open in the fifth, where they plated nine baserunners while sending nine men to the plate.

The Deacons rebounded quite well on March 30, defeating the Seminoles 4-2.

Junior pitcher Garrett Bullock was the stopper that the Deacons desperately needed, as he went for six scoreless innings, scattering six hits while walking five and striking out five.

“We had just been in a rut and needed to get out of it,” he said.

The Deacs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third innings on a single by junior second baseman Dustin Hood, which plated senior catcher Austin Jones and junior third baseman Tyler Smith.

The Deacons later added some insurance later in the game to help protect their lead.

Jones scored on a wild pitch in the sixth inning, while Smith had an RBI double in the eighth inning to bring home senior shortstop Andy Goff.

The Deacon bullpen, led by sophomore Phil Negus’ 2 1/3 innings of no-hit relief, helped protect the win.

Florida State made a comeback in the ninth inning, with the Seminoles scoring two runs, one each off of sophomore Alex Wiesner and junior Brad Kledzik; however, Kledzik was able to strike out Mike McGee to ensure victory.

“(Winning) against an undefeated team in the conference, it was huge,” Head Coach Rick Rembielak said.

The Deacons looked to continue their winning ways on March 31; however, the team fell 3-2 to Florida State in an 11-inning contest.

Senior Charlie Mellies was sharp in his outing, going nine innings while allowing only three hits and a run in the first inning, while striking out six batters.

“It was one of the best (performances) of my career,” Mellies said. “I wanted to give us a chance to help us turn this around.”

Florida State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a Posey double, but that was all the offense FSU could muster against Mellies.

The Deacons quickly responded to Florida State, with senior outfielder Ben Terry opening up the Deacons’ first inning with a double and Hood responding with an RBI single immediately afterwards.

However, the Deacons missed several chances offensively, leaving the bases loaded in the first inning with one out without scoring any additional runs, as well as leaving two men in scoring position in the fourth inning, leaving two runners on base in the eighth inning and two men on in the 10th inning with a chance to win the game.

“We had a great chance in Game 3 and couldn’t squeeze it out,” Rembielak said.

“It would have been even bigger to take a series against Florida State and they’re one of the hottest teams in the conference.”

Florida State jumped first in extra innings, taking a 2-1 lead before the Deacons responded in the bottom half of the inning, with sophomore catcher Mike Murray bringing home Terry. However, the Deacons gave up the lead again in the 11th inning and could not answer for a 3-2 Seminole victory.

The Deacons’ struggles continued in the midweek games as well.

On April 1, the Deacons traveled to UNC-Wilmington, where they lost 5-1 to the No. 20 Seahawks. UNC-W struck Deacon starter sophomore Phil Negus early, tagging him for four runs over three innings.

Senior Willy Fox lead the Deacon offense with two of the team’s five hits, as well as a solo home run to provide the only run.

The Deacons fell again on April 2, this time losing to Coastal Carolina 9-4 at Hooks Stadium.

Hunter, who has now shifted to being a weekday starter, gave up six runs, three of which were earned and nine hits in five innings of work to take the loss.

The Deacons fell behind early, trailing 3-0 in the first inning before coming back with runs in their half of the first inning as well as in the third inning to tie the game up at 3-3.

However, the Chanticleers responded in the top of the fourth inning with an extra two runs and never looked back.

The Deacons only scored again on a solo home run by Murray in the seventh inning. The Wolfpack are 15-9 on the season and 5-6 in the ACC.

The Deacons return to action with a three game series at N.C. State April 4-6.

Bullock will start the first game, Mellies the second game and the third game’s starter is still to be determined.