Only rain can slow Seminoles

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published June 3, 2006

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ATHENS, Ga. - Florida State had no trouble with Jacksonville, but the Seminoles were no match for the weather.

Florida State pounded out 18 hits, including five doubles and three homers, to build an 18-0 lead through seven innings before play was suspended because of lightning in the area in the opening game of the NCAA Athens Region.

The game was delayed 39 minutes at the start and interrupted for 91 minutes after three innings before the game was suspended shortly before 8 p.m. The game will resume at 9 a.m. today. The Georgia-Sacred Heart game was rescheduled for 11 a.m., followed by games at 3 and 7.

The Seminoles (42-19) knocked previously undefeated Jacksonville (42-17) ace Matt Dobbins out with a six-run first. Tony Thomas Jr. was a triple short of the cycle, scoring twice and driving in four.

USF COACHING JOB:

Jamey Shouppe, FSU's associate coach and an assistant under Mike Martin for 16 years, said he will pursue the coaching job at USF, vacant after Eddie Cardieri stepped down. "My complete focus is on the Florida State baseball team and ... competing for a national championship," Shouppe said in a statement from Athens. "When our season is finished, I would be interested in speaking with USF about their head coaching position."