FSU To Have Home Advantage In Regional Playoffs
Published: May 29, 2007
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TALLAHASSEE - Shortly after learning his team wouldn't have to leave home the rest of the postseason unless it advances all the way to the College World Series, Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin sat relaxed in the Seminoles' dugout at Dick Howser Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Martin could breathe a little easier after FSU (47-11) earned a No. 6 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Seminoles learned Sunday that they would host at least a regional despite losing back-to-back games over the weekend at the ACC Tournament, and on Monday the news was even better.
"That's a goal we set at the beginning of the year, to try and be able to host all [our games in] the postseason," FSU pitcher Bryan Henry said. "It was exciting to watch it on TV and find out we're going to be at home."
FSU finished 33-4 at home this season, including winning its first 30 games at Dick Howser Stadium before losing to Florida on April 18.
"We are very comfortable in our own backyard," said FSU second baseman Tony Thomas Jr., FSU's only player selected to the All-ACC Tournament Team.
While FSU's season continues, Florida (29-30) and South Florida (34-26) failed to make the tournament.
"We didn't take care of business," first-year USF coach Lelo Prado said Monday. "It's a good start, but we didn't take advantage of our opportunities and we can't be satisfied not getting to regionals."
As for FSU, Martin is unconcerned about the Seminoles suffering a hangover following losses to Miami and Clemson over the weekend in Jacksonville. FSU, the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament, failed to win again after defeating Wake Forest in the opening round.
Asked how confident he was in FSU's ability to quickly bounce back, Martin quipped: "About as confident as I am over a 6-inch putt. That's behind us. We played three very good clubs in our division. It wasn't like we were playing chopped liver."
FSU opens the tournament Friday night against Bethune-Cookman. Mississippi State faces Stetson in the other game of the Tallahassee regional. The winner of the four-team, double-elimination tournament advances to the super regionals. Martin said he will start Michael Hyde on Friday against Bethune-Cookman, and then give Henry (14-1) the start Saturday.
Reporter Brett McMurphy
contributed to this report. Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088
Hurricanes Earn 35th Straight NCAA Berth
CORAL GABLES - Miami's quest for yet another trip to the College World Series will start on the road.
The Hurricanes (36-22) are back in the NCAA Tournament field for the 35th straight year, extending their national record, and will open play in the Columbia, Mo., regional against Louisville (40-20) Friday afternoon.
Missouri (40-16) is the top seed in that regional, followed by Miami, Louisville and Kent State (33-24).
"You are always excited to go to the NCAA Tournament," Miami coach Jim Morris said. "Anytime you go on the road, it is a tough route."
Missouri is a tournament host for the first time since 1965 and meets Kent State in the opening round of the four-team, double-elimination regional.
The trip will be a homecoming for Hurricanes center fielder Blake Tekotte, a Columbia native who was recruited by Missouri. Tekotte, Miami's leadoff hitter who's batting .341 this season, immediately received a text message from one of his close friends on the Missouri team.
"Coming back," Missouri outfielder Jacob Priday wrote to Tekotte, who knows most players on the Tigers' roster.
"I am excited," Tekotte said. "If we get hot, we can beat anybody. It doesn't matter who we play. As long as we play our game and don't make the small mistakes, it will be fun."
