FSU Wins Playoff Opener

The Florida State Seminoles have started off the playoffs right with a 2-1 victory over the UAB Blazers last night. Both runs for the Seminoles were scored by my favorite player, Sherman Johnson. Both runs were driven in by the player of the year, James Ramsey. Let's hope Ramsey and Johnson lead us all the way to the National Title.

You can tell by the score, that the Seminoles won mostly by pitching and defense. That pitching effort was led by reliever Gage Smith. Smith, won his 4th game and pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in the victory. Robert Benincasa received his 14th save after working a scoreless 9th inning. By all accounts the defense was led by our outstanding 3rd baseman, Sherman Johnson. He made an outstanding leaping stop and also gunned a guy down at the plate, which prevented UAB from taking the lead.

It gets better. Samford upset Mississippi State so now the Noles will face Samford in the winner's bracket instead of Mississippi State. No offense to Samford and they are a tough team, but I was @ Dick Howser when Mississippi State knocked us out a few years ago. I wanted no part of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Hopefully UAB sends the Bulldogs home today. FSU will play Samford @ 7pm in a game that will air on ESPN2. If they win, they will face the winner of the loser's bracket who will have to beat them twice. FSU is at a huge advantage if they win tonight.

-Noland