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By BRIAN LANDMAN, JOANNE KORTH and ANTONYA ENGLISH
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 3, 2001
Florida State
2000 RECORD: 53-19. Won NCAA Regional and Super Regional to reach the College World Series for the 11th time in 13 years and 18th overall. Lost to eventual champion LSU in Game 12 in Omaha. Finished No. 3 in Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America.
CONFERENCE RECORD: 15-9, third in the ACC.
COACH: Mike Martin (1,132-383-3, 21st season).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: John-Ford Griffin, Jr. OF, (.403, 72 runs. 58 RBI, 33 2B); Karl Jernigan, Sr. OF, (.332, 58 runs, 50 RBI); Ryan Barthelemy, Jr. 3B/1B, (.312, 14 HR, 71 RBI, 59 runs); Brett Groves, Sr. SS, (.310, 57 runs, 46 RBI, 34-of-40 steals); Blair Varnes, Jr. RHP, (11-4, 3.88 ERA); Matt Lynch, So. LHP, (7-0, 3.24 ERA); Robby Read, So. RHP, (3-1, 4.03 ERA).
KEY NEWCOMERS: Tony Richie, C, Fr.; Marc LaMacchia, Fr. RHP; Nick Rogers, Jr. OF; Tony McQuade, Fr. OF.
NOTES: Trips to the CWS seem like an annual rite for the Seminoles and many believe that won't change. FSU begins the season No. 7 in Baseball America and No. 8 in Collegiate Baseball. But to reach the NCAA Regional, let alone Omaha, the Seminoles must fill the void left by the departure of Mike Ziegler, a 14th-round draft pick by the Athletics, and Jon McDonald, a free agent signee with the Twins. Varnes is a veteran, so much could hinge on Lynch, Read and LaMacchia, a former standout at Clearwater High and an 18th-round pick by St. Louis. Said Martin: "I do feel everything revolves around your pitcher." Offensively, the Seminoles lost top power hitter Marshall McDougall (.346, 15 HR, 82 runs, 67 RBI) and All-American OF Chris Smith (.375, 14 HR, 81 runs, 66 RBI) who transferred to Cumberland College so he could get a chance to pitch, too. Griffin, Barthelemy, Jernigan (out for at least the opening weekend because of a broken wrist) and Groves, the former Tampa King star who had a career-high batting average last season, provide a proven nucleus. But like the pitchers, FSU needs some of its youngsters to play like veterans. Richie, a fifth-round draft pick of the White Sox, and Rogers, who's nursing a pulled rib-cage muscle, McQuade might do just that. FSU, as usual, gets tested quickly. Following the opening two games against Western Kentucky today and Sunday, the Seminoles play a three-game series at Stanford, No. 14 in Baseball America, and then play four against No. 13 Florida. Said Martin: "It's a pretty ambitious start, but we've tried to prepare the guys for it. The nice thing about it is we do have five or six guys who have played in arenas such as this. We're looking forward to competing."
February: Today -- Western Kentucky, 2; 4 -- Western Kentucky, 1; 9 -- at Stanford, 6; 10 -- at Stanford, 1; 11 -- at Stanford, 1; 17 -- Florida, 2; 18 -- Florida, 2; 24 -- at Florida, 4; 25 -- at Florida, 1:30; 27 -- Appalachian State, 3:30; 28 -- Appalachian State, 3:30. March: 1 -- at Florida Marlins, 1; 2 -- Michigan State, 6; 3 -- Michigan State, 2; 4 -- Michigan State, 1; 6 -- St. Joseph's, 6; 7 -- St. Joseph's, 3:30; 9 -- Virginia, 6; 10 -- Virginia, 6; 11 -- Virginia, 1; 12 -- Northern Iowa, 6; 13 -- Northern Iowa, 6; 14 -- Liberty, 6; 16 -- at NC State, 7; 17 -- at NC State, 1; 18 -- at NC State, 1:30; 20 -- Akron, 6; 21 -- Akron, 6; 23 -- North Carolina, 7; 24 -- North Carolina, 1; 25 -- North Carolina, 1; 27 -- The Citadel, 6; 28 -- The Citadel, 3:30; 30 -- Wake Forest, 7; 31 -- Wake Forest, 1. April: 1 -- Wake Forest, 1; 3 -- Mercer, 6; 6 -- Clemson, 7; 7 -- Clemson, 7; 8 -- Clemson, 1; 10 -- Mercer, 6; 11 -- Jacksonville, 6; 13 -- at Miami, 7; 14 -- at Miami, 7; 15 -- at Miami, Noon; 18 -- at Jacksonville, 7; 20 -- Miami, 7; 21 -- Miami, 7; 22 -- Miami, 1; 27 -- at Georgia Tech, 7; 28 -- at Georgia Tech, 1; 29 -- at Georgia Tech, 1:30. May: 4 -- at Maryland, 7; 5 -- at Maryland, 7; 6 -- at Maryland, 1; 11 -- at Duke, 7; 12 -- at Duke, 7; 13 -- at Duke, 2; 15-20 -- ACC Tournament; 24-27 -- NCAA Regional. June: 1-3 -- NCAA Super Regional; 8-16 -- NCAA College World Series. -- Compiled by BRIAN LANDMAN
2000 RECORD: 44-23-1, NCAA Regional runner-up.
CONFERENCE RECORD: 18-11-1, second place Eastern Division, runner-up SEC Tournament.
COACH: Andy Lopez (243-132-1, seventh season; 652-391-6 overall).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Jason Dill, Sr. 1B/DH, (.356, 9 HR, 44 RBI); Matt Siegel, Sr. OF, (.328, 6 HR, 31 RBI); Peter Nystrom, Sr. OF, (.322, 7 HR, 50 RBI); Aaron Davidson, Jr. 2B/OF, (injured in 2000); Mark Kiger, Jr. 2B/OF, is(.314, 8 HR, 57 RBI, 22 SB); Ryan Shealy, Jr. 1B/DH, (injured in 2000); Kevin Estrada, Jr. SS, (.281); Pat Osborn, So. 3B, (.237); Joey Simon, So. RHP, (10-2, 4.32 ERA); Jay Belflower, Jr. RHP, (7-3, 5.35 ERA); Alex Hart, So. RHP, (injured in 2000); Kenny Birch, Sr. LHP, (6-0, 3.79 ERA); Keith Brice, Sr. RHP, (injured in 2000); Eddie Rojas, Sr. LHP, (6-0, 4.57 ERA).
KEY NEWCOMERS: Ben Harrison, Fr. OF, Key West; Keith Ramsey, Jr. LHP/OF, Los Angeles (Calif.) Harbor J.C.
NOTES: The Gators, who overcame 14 injuries last season to reach the Regional final in Waco, Texas, have more players than they know what to do with. The injured are healthy and those who filled in are back, too. Florida, ranked No. 13 by Baseball America and picked by Southeastern Conference coaches to win the Eastern Division, has the depth and talent to win with speed, power or pitching. "There's a lot of excitement in the locker room," Lopez said. He will have options every time he fills out the lineup. Dill, Shealy, Kiger and Davidson can play infield, outfield or DH. Osborn, who struggled last season as a freshman, has been impressive at third base. Estrada is entrenched at shortstop. The only question mark is catcher, where former walk-on Brian Rose takes over for Tony Socarras (.300, 19 HR, 64 RBI). The pitching staff is especially deep. Simon, from Tampa Chamberlain, takes over as the No. 1 starter after appearing in 28 games last season as a closer, middle reliever and No. 3 starter. Belflower, the late-season closer, moves into the starting rotation. Three pitchers are back from Tommy John elbow surgery: starters Hart and Jimmy Ramshaw, and closer Brice.
February: Today -- Miami, 1; 4 -- Miami, 1:30; 9 -- at Miami, 7; 10 -- at Miami, 7; 13 -- Charleston Southern, 7; 14 -- Charleston Southern, 5; 17 -- at Florida State, 2; 18 -- at Florida State, 2; 20 -- Winthrop, 7; 21 -- Winthrop, 5; 24 -- Florida State, 4; 25 -- Florida State, 1:30; 28 -- Jacksonville, 7. March: 2 -- Central Michigan, 7; 3 -- Central Michigan, 4; 4 -- Central Michigan, 3; 9 -- Tennessee, 7; 10 -- Tennessee, 7; 11 -- Tennessee, 1:30; 13 -- Fordham, 7; 14 -- Fordham, 7; 16 -- at LSU, 8; 17 -- at LSU, 5; 18 -- at LSU, 1; 20 -- Maine, 7; 21 -- Maine, 7; 23 -- Arkansas, 7; 24 -- Arkansas, 7; 25 -- Arkansas, 1:30; 27 -- Bethune-Cookman, 7; 28 -- Florida Atlantic, 5; 30 -- at Vanderbilt, 8; 31 -- at Vanderbilt, 3. April: 1 -- at Vanderbilt, 2; 4 -- Florida A&M, 5; 6 -- Kentucky, 7; 7 -- Kentucky, 3; 8 -- Kentucky, 1:30; 11 -- Stetson, 7; 13 -- at Georgia, 6:30; 14 -- at Georgia, 2; 15 -- at Georgia, 1:30; 18 -- at Stetson, 7; 20 -- at Mississippi, 7:30; 21 -- at Mississippi, 5; 22 -- at Mississippi, 2; 27 -- Mississippi State, 7; 28 -- Mississippi State, 7; 29 -- Mississippi State, 1:30. May: 4 -- at Auburn, 7:30; 5 -- at Auburn, 4; 6 -- at Auburn, 2:30; 9 -- USF, 7; 11 -- South Carolina, 7; 12 -- South Carolina, 7; 13 -- South Carolina, 4; 16-20 -- SEC Tournament; 25-27 -- NCAA Regionals. June: 1-3 -- NCAA Super Regional; 8-16 -- NCAA College World Series. -- Compiled by JOANNE KORTH.
2000 RECORD, FINISH: 29-29.
CONFERENCE RECORD, FINISH: 14-13, fifth.
COACH: Eddie Cardieri (545-367, 15 seasons at USF; 610-400, 17th).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: John Gorham, Jr. P, (10-5, 4.09 ERA, 92 K, All C-USA Second Team); John Vigue, Sr. P, (10-5, 5.98 ERA, 65 K); Mike Eylward, Sr. 1B, (.338, 11 HR, 63 RBI, All C-USA First-Team); Daniel Boyd, Sr. LF, (.349, 12 HR, 55 RBI, All C-USA First Team); Mike Cunningham, So. CF, (.338, 3 HR, 29 RBI, C-USA All-Freshman Team); Mike Barclay, Jr. RF, (.308, 4 HR, 43 RBI); Ben Drawdy, Sr. 2B, (.322, 1 HR, 29 RBI); Chris Cuccia, Jr., DH, (.343, 3 HR, 52 RBI).
KEY NEWCOMERS: Myron Leslie, Fr. 3B, Brandon; Evan Brannon, Fr. SS, St. Petersburg; Justin Holmes, Fr. 2B, Oviedo; Jason Bartz, Jr. P, Manatee Community College; Jon Uhl, Fr. P, Leto.
NOTES: New personnel and a desire to shore up infield defense resulted in changes to the Bulls' lineup. Boyd will move from first base to leftfield and reserve third basemen Eylward will move to first base. The pitching staff was decimated by injuries last season. The staff enters this season healthy, and the Bulls return a pair of 10-game winners in Gorham and Vigue. Uhl, coming off a medical redshirt, is expected to add much-needed depth to the bullpen. Drawdy will be back at second base for a fourth consecutive season and newcomer Leslie will take over at third. Sophomore Mike Macaluso and Brannon are battling for the shortstop job, replacing three-year starter Johnny Raburn. The Bulls will have depth at catcher, where three veterans return, all of whom bring different strengths, Cardieri said. Staying healthy, particularly for pitchers, will be key. "Right now, we have no one area that is a glaring weakness," Cardieri said.
February: 10 -- at Stetson, 2; 11 -- at Stetson, 1; 13 -- Stetson, 3; 17 -- Jacksonville, 1; 18 -- Jacksonville, 1; 20 -- Bethune-Cookman, 3; 23 -- Minnesota, 7; 24 -- Minnesota, 1; 25 -- Minnesota, 1; 28 -- Michigan, 7. March: 1 -- Michigan, 7; 2 -- vs. Western Michigan, 4 (Tampa Bay Devil Rays College Invitational); 3 -- vs. Notre Dame, 5 (Tampa Bay Devil Rays College Invitational); 4 -- vs. Florida Atlantic, 4 (Tampa Bay Devil Rays College Invitational); 6 -- at Jacksonville, Noon; 7 -- at Bethune-Cookman, 2; 9 -- at Arizona State, 10; 10 -- at Arizona State, 10; 11 -- at Arizona State, 4; 13 -- Miami, 7; 14 -- Miami, 5; 16 -- at Tulane, 7:30; 17 -- at Tulane, 3; 18 -- at Tulane, 2; 20 -- Army, 7; 21 -- Northwestern, 7; 23 -- UAB, 7; 24 -- UAB, 1; 25 -- UAB, 1; 27 -- Stetson, 7; 30 -- Memphis, 7; 31 -- Memphis, 1. April: 1 -- Memphis, 1; 3 -- at Central Florida, 6; 6 -- vs. Cincinnati, 7 (Cincinnati Series at Florida Power Park); 7 -- vs. Cincinnati, 1 (Cincinnati Series at Florida Power Park); 8 -- vs. Cincinnati, 1 (Cincinnati Series at Florida Power Park); 10 -- Central Florida, 7; 13 -- at Saint Louis, 8; 14 -- at Saint Louis, 2; 15 -- at Saint Louis, 2; 17 -- at Central Florida, 6; 20 -- at Louisville, 6; 21 -- at Louisville, 1; 22 -- at Louisville, 1; 24 -- Central Florida, 7; 27 -- Southern Mississippi, 7; 28 -- Southern Mississippi, 1; 29 -- Southern Mississippi, 1. May: 4 -- at Charlotte, 6; 5 -- at Charlotte, 2; 6 -- at Charlotte, 1; 9 -- at Florida, 7; 11 -- Houston, 7; 12 -- Houston, 1; 13 -- Houston, 1; 16-20 -- at Conference USA Tournament; 25-27 -- at NCAA Regional Tournament. June: 1-3 -- at NCAA Super Regional Tournament; 8-16 -- at College World Series.
- Compiled by ANTONYA ENGLISH