Colleges

Softball team streaking, peaking

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published April 28, 2005

The softball team is showing a knack for timing.

After largely inconsistent play, the Seminoles (32-18) have won a season-best six straight entering the final few weeks of the regular season to bolster their postseason resume.

"I think the players are realizing they don't have any time left to mess around," coach JoAnne Graf said. "There's a sense of urgency that we need to start winning some big ballgames and start dominating and start playing like we can if we want to get a bid to nationals."

The Seminoles have reached the NCAA regional 17 times, including five straight. They began the season No. 10 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll but have been unranked since March 30.

Eight non-conference games remain, beginning Sunday with a doubleheader at Troy and including a doubleheader Tuesday at No. 16 Florida. There's the ACC tournament May 12-14 in College Park, Md., which could offer them another shot at No. 17 Georgia Tech.

"We've got some pretty important games left," Graf said. "If we do well in those, it will really help us. ... Obviously, you want to have your momentum going more at the end of season rather than the beginning, so if we had to pick a time to start playing well, I'm glad it's right now."

AWARD WATCH: Star sophomore outfielder Shane Robinson, from Jesuit, has been named to the watch list for USA Baseball's Golden Spikes Award, which honors the nation's top amateur player.

Entering this weekend's series against Virginia, the Seminoles' speedy leadoff hitter is batting a team-high .441, has 22 doubles, 34 RBIs and has stolen 35 bases in 38 attempts.

The five finalists will be named in early June.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW: Contrary to several published reports, former FSU quarterback Chris Rix was not among 19 undrafted free agents signed by the San Diego Chargers. The word is he has been invited to try out at this weekend's minicamp, where he likely will compete with former Montana QB Craig Ochs.

IT ONLY TAKES ONE: Kicker Xavier Beitia, the former Jesuit star, had a chance to work out for just one team before the draft and that came four days beforehand.

Talk about pressure.

Beitia was impressive enough to earn a free-agent deal from the New York Jets, even though the Jets spent a second-round pick on Ohio State kicker Mike Nugent. Beitia credits his showing to working with Doug Blevins, a longtime kicking coach of the Miami Dolphins, since the Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia.

"Doug taught me a lot of new stuff," said Beitia, mentioning the use of his body, not just his leg. "It's about kicking right and then getting the reps."

He will be at the Jets' minicamp this weekend and is ecstatic about the chance. "The greatest thing about the NFL is now I'm zero-for-zero," he said. "I'm not the kid from the FSU-Miami game or the second-leading scorer from Florida State. ... It's a chance to make a first impression."

DID YOU KNOW?: One of the more coveted trading cards among Upper Deck's recently released Arena Football League collection is one of quarterback Adrian McPherson. He played for the now defunct Indiana Firebirds but was picked up by the Nashville Kats before he declared for the NFL draft. McPherson's card is being compared to Steve Young's USFL card. The Saints drafted McPherson in the fifth round.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Senior Dorian Scott broke an ACC championship meet record with a shot put of 19.61 meters to win last week's event. The old mark was set by North Carolina State's Bob Medlin (19.45 meters) in 1977.

BOWDEN TOUR: Coach Bobby Bowden's booster tour stops in Pinellas County on May 13 with golf at the Countryside Golf Club beginning at 8 a.m. and a dinner/reception at the Coliseum in St. Petersburg at 5:30 p.m. Golf is $125 per person; for information call (727) 410-1632. The banquet is $25 for adults, $10 for children; for information call (727) 544-6653.

Brian Landman covers Florida State athletics. Reach him at 813 226-3347 or landman@sptimes.com

[Last modified April 28, 2005, 01:19:11]