Ziegler pitches 'Noles to Omaha

After a slow start, FSU right-hander mows down UM 6-1 in super region final.

[AP photo] FSU pitcher Mike DiBlasi (29), a Countryside High grad, leads his teammates in a celebration dance after the Seminoles topped Miami 6-1.

By BRIAN LANDMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 5, 2000

TALLAHASSEE -- After facing two Miami batters and allowing two sharply hit singles in the decisive super region game Sunday, Florida State's Mike Ziegler looked ready to pack it in early.

"He was close to getting pulled, very close," said FSU coach Mike Martin, who dispatched two relievers into the bullpen to loosen up in a hurry.

"Oh, yeah. That got my attention right away," Ziegler said.

But Ziegler settled down and pitched a nine-hitter, leading his team to a 6-1 win in front of 4,876 at Dick Howser Stadium for a trip to Omaha, Neb., and the College World Series.

FSU (51-17), which will be making its sixth CWS appearance in seven years, 18th overall and 12th for Martin, opens against Southern California (43-18) on Friday or Saturday. The schedule will be announced today.

The defending national champion Hurricanes (41-19-1), who edged FSU in last year's title game, saw their string of six CWS appearances end one shy of tying the NCAA record set by Oklahoma State (1981-87).

"It's a shame that both schools cannot go; it's a shame that it had to be one or the other," Martin said. "But Miami deserves an awful lot of credit. Their players represent their university with class and dignity. It's a great rivalry. The stakes could not be much higher than we've had the last two years. Have you seen any incidents on the field? No. You've seen nothing but hard play."

"It's disappointing right now that we didn't finish better than we did because of the standard set of going to Omaha," Miami coach Jim Morris said. "If you don't go there, it's not a successful season."

It appeared it might be -- again -- as Ziegler struggled at the outset of the game even more than he had down the stretch. The junior right-hander was 0-2 with a 4.89 ERA in his past five starts.

Centerfielder Mike Rodriguez and third baseman Kevin Howard each worked the count full before lining shots up the middle to give the 'Canes runners at the cornersto open the game.

That brought Martin from the dugout.

"The first inning, I didn't know who that was out there," Martin said, adding that it didn't seem that Ziegler was throwing with enough velocity to "puff my lip."

Since it was the final in the best-of-three series, Martin knew he couldn't afford to stick with his starter too long, and made sure freshmen Robby Read and Daniel Hodges started getting ready.

"I wasn't being myself," said Ziegler, who admitted he was disappointed when he learned last week that he would not pitch the opener. "I was being a little too fine and I wasn't trusting my stuff."

The game turned four pitches later.

With the count 2-and-1 on shortstop Javy Rodriguez, Howard took off for second. FSU catcher Blair McCaleb, not known for his arm, threw a one-hopper to second baseman Marshall McDougall, who scooped it and tagged Howard.

"I think that helped settle me down," Ziegler said.

Although Rodriguez followed with a fly ball to bring home a run, Miami rarely threatened again. Ziegler (9-4) allowed seven more singles, five in the final two innings when he was running out of gas. He struck out nine and walked none.

It was the fewest runs Miami scored since its fourth game of the season, a 9-0 loss to North Carolina on Jan. 30.

"He was mixing it and pitched great today," Miami rightfielder Manny Crespo said. "He kept us off balance."

Meanwhile, the Seminoles backed him with flawless defense, turning three double plays and committing no errors after a season-high six in Saturday's loss, and timely hitting against freshman Kiki Bengochea (5-5). McDougall tripled and homered for two RBI and McCaleb was 3-for-4 with two RBI to lead the offense.

"Michael just set the tone today," said Martin, who will be looking for his first title in Omaha. "He really, really took control of the ballgame as far as spotting his fastball and keeping his poise.

"It was a great thing to see. Mike Ziegler pitched very well for us all year. We would not be going to the College World Series, obviously, if not for Mike Ziegler."

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