June 17, 2008

More Missed Opportunities

FSU strands 17 in 7-5 loss to Miami

By Phil Stanton

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

OMAHA, Neb. – It was missed opportunities again.

After leaving 10 on base and hitting 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position in its opening-round loss to Stanford on Saturday, Florida State stranded 17 in its 7-5 defeat at the hands of Miami in an elimination game Monday at the College World Series.

The Seminoles banged out 18 hits and had base-runners in each inning, but hit just 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position over the first eight innings to trail 7-2. FSU did rally for three in the ninth, but left the bases loaded to end the contest and its season.

“If you had told me before we started the game that we were going to get 18 hits and not make an error,” said FSU head coach Mike Martin, “I would have certainly taken my chances.”

All-American Buster Posey had four hits, but only came to the plate twice with runners on base. Jason Stidham was caught stealing on a hit-and-run attempt in the first. Posey batted with two outs and none on and got a single and scored the game’s first run. He had an RBI double in the fourth to pull FSU to within two at 4-2. A line-drive double play to right preceded his base hit in the sixth. Posey did come to the plate in the ninth with runners on the corners and two outs and drew a walk. But a fielder’s choice gave Miami the win.