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VMI Baseball Team Blanked at Florida State, 15-0

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.. ? Never able to get its offense going, VMI fell 15-0 at Florida State in the final game of the three-game weekend series on Sunday. The Keydets fell to 0-3 on the season and suffered their first shutout since an 8-0 loss at Virginia Tech on April 28, 2004. With the win, Florida State moved to 6-0.

“We didn't play very well today,” VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry said. “It was good to get everybody experience. Hopefully it is the worst day of 2005 and it is behind us.”

The Seminoles lead 4-0 after four innings and erupted for four more runs in the fifth. Sophomore right-hander Mike Anton (Clarksville, Md./River Hill) started for VMI, allowing three unearned runs on three hits while walking two over two innings of work. Florida State cranked up its offense in the second as designated hitter Brant Peacher lead off with a double and scored. The Seminoles scored three runs in the inning on two hits and two VMI errors.

Although the Keydets had fallen behind early, they would answer in the top of the third by mounting a serious offensive surge. Senior shortstop Matt Smith (Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) and junior third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa./Line Mountain) drew back-to-back walks to open the inning. After the Seminoles got the next two batters out, sophomore designated hitter Jacoby Fields (Prince George, Va./Prince George) walked to load the bases. However the Keydets could not push anyone across as the Seminoles got the next batter to ground out, ending VMI's threat.

The Keydets held their composure while bringing in senior right-hander Jimmy Thoms (Newport News, Va./Denbigh) to replace Anton in the bottom of the third. Anton immediately made an impact, sending Florida State down in order and keeping VMI in the game. Then in the top of the fourth, sophomore center fielder Thane Smith (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) knocked a leadoff single and stole second base putting a runner in scoring position for VMI, but Smith would be left stranded as the Seminoles maintained their 4-0 lead.

After Florida State added one run in the bottom of the fourth, the Seminoles erupted for four more in the fifth.

VMI continued to challenge the Seminoles getting three hits over the next two innings but couldn't push anyone across home plate as they left three runners on base over the sixth and seventh innings, part of 10 in the game.

"We had our opportunities early to score and we didn't capitalize on it,” Ikenberry said.

VMI used five different pitchers in the game as freshman right-hander Alex Di Dio (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) and sophomore right-hander Jacoby Fields (Prince George, Va./Prince George) saw action on the mound. Each threw one full inning and had one strikeout.

“Jacoby Fields threw well,” Ikenberry said. It was good to see a couple of our guys throw well. It was great to get some of our young guys some experience.”

Ikenberry was also pleased with the fact that his team played tough through the whole three-game series and believes it could help them later down the road this season having faced a nationally ranked team like Florida State, currently ranked
18th in the country.

"We got everybody that travels a chance to play this weekend” Ikenberry said. “There are a lot of positives about us playing down here in Tallahassee. Now we have a clear vision of what we need to work on.”

The Keydets resume play on Saturday, February 12 when they host Hofstra (NY) for a doubleheader beginning at noon at Patchin Field at VMI.
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