March 7, 2009

Box Score
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Led by junior Tony Sanchez's four hits, Boston College's bats came alive in the second game of the series at No. 6 Florida State, producing 16 hits in a 14-6 win Saturday night in front of 4,969 at Dick Howser Stadium.

It was the program's first win against Florida State and first victory against a team ranked in the top 10 since April 30, 2006.

Sanchez finished 4-for-6 on the day and a triple shy of the cycle. He hit his fourth home run of the season and also knocked a pair of doubles. He drove in three runs and scored three times himself.

Junior Barry Butera and freshman Brad Zapenas both recorded three hits and two RBI on the day while junior Mike Belfiore went 2-for-5 with two RBI and three runs. Sophomore Mickey Wiswall hit his third homer of the season on the first pitch following Sanchez's blast for back-to-back home runs in the top of the first.

Sophomore Pat Dean picked up the win on the mound for the Eagles, pitching 5.0 innings and allowing five earned runs on nine hits. He struck out five and walked two. Classmate John Leonard came on in relief and shut down the FSU bats, working 4.0 innings and allowing four hits to pick up the save.

Boston College got going right away with five runs on the scoreboard in the top of the first. Junior Robbie Anston led off the game with a double to the gap in left-center on the first pitch of the game, the second time this series he has delivered a hit on the first pitch of the night. It was his eighth double of the year.

Florida State coach Mike Martin visited Geoff Parker on the mound following the jack, but on the very next pitch to Wiswall, he drove it opposite field and cleared the wall in left to make it 3-0.

Belfiore kept the rally going with a single that dropped in front of the center fielder and Butera did the same. Belfiore reached third when Tyler Holt couldn't get a handle on the ball to put runners on the corners with one out.

Zapenas was the next batter and drove in Belfiore with a double on a 1-2 count to push the lead to four. Butera added the fifth BC run on a wild pitch.

The Seminoles cut into the lead in the bottom half of the inning with three runs. Holt had a good at-bat to lead off the frame and drew a walk and after Dean got two FSU batters looking, Jason Stidham singled to center to put runners on the corners.

Stuart Tapley walked to load the bases and on a 1-2 count, Jack Posey singled through the left side of the infield to cut the deficit to 5-2. Tommy Oravetz drove in another run when he singled to left.

BC posted five more runs in the second to push the lead to 10-3. Smith was hit by a curveball in the shoulder with one out and then Sanchez drove a 1-2 pitch high off the right field wall for a stand-up double, putting two runners in scoring position. Wiswall was intentionally walked to load the bases but Belfiore forced a run home when he drew a walk to make it 6-3.

Left-hander Mark Peterson came on in relief to face Butera and on a full count, Butera pulled a single through the right side to score two more and got himself to second on the throw to the plate. Zapenas walked to load the bases again and sophomore Mike Sudol delivered a single to left to move everyone ahead a base and extend the lead to 9-3.

After the second out was recorded, Anston was hit by a pitch to plate the fifth run of the inning.

The Eagles tacked on two more in the third to extend the lead further. Sanchez led off the inning with a single through the right side on the first pitch and then he took second on a ball that the catcher had to block in the dirt. Belfiore cashed in the run with a single up the middle and reached second on the throw home from center.

Zapenas drove in his eighth two-out RBI of the season when he chopped a single up the middle to score Belfiore and cushion the lead to nine runs, 12-3.

The Seminoles added a single run in the third, fourth and fifth innings to cut the deficit in half to 12-6.

BC got two of those runs back in the top of the sixth to put the game away. Zapenas started the frame swinging at the first pitch and sent a single through the right side and then Sudol sacrificed him over to second. Senior Harry Darling and Anston both drew walks to load the bases and Smith drove in a run to push the lead to 13-6. Sanchez plated the other run on a fielder's choice.

Stidham went 3-for-5 at the plate for the Seminoles (7-4, 1-1 ACC) and scored three times. Posey went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Holt and Stephen Cardullo both had two hits.

BC (9-3, 1-1 ACC) and Florida State will play the rubber match on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Dick Howser Stadium.