June 6, 2008

Box Score | Box Score in PDF Format | Quotes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Rob Musgrave pitched 5.2 innings and Conor Gillaspie hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning to lead Wichita State to a 10-7 victory over Florida State in the first game of the Tallahassee Super Regional on Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.  The win moves the Shockers to within one victory of advancing to the College World Series for the first time since 1996 and for the eighth time in school history.

           

The Shockers and the Seminoles will play the second game of the series Saturday at Noon.  The best two-out-of-three series will finish on Sunday should the Seminoles force a third game. 

 

            Musgrave improved his record to 12-1 as he allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits while striking out five.  He threw 120 pitches as the temperature on the field surpassed the 100 degree mark.  Anthony Capra got the final out of the game to record his first save of the season. 

 

            The Seminoles made the game interesting in the bottom of the ninth as they drew to within 10-7 with the trying run at the plate.  Pinch hitter Jack Posey struck out to end the game. 

 

"I thought it was a hard fought ballgame on both sides; very hot, very humid," said Wichita State Head Coach Gene Stephenson.  "I am so proud of our guys. Even though it was hot and sweaty I had a great time, it was fun and I am so proud of our guys, they competed so well. It is only one game, one victory, that's all it is. We know we have to come out and fight just as hard or harder tomorrow. We know that and we are looking forward to it."

 

            Florida State scored the first run of the game on a second-inning home run to right field by first baseman Dennis Guinn.  It was Guinn's 18^th home run of the season; he hit a total of 17 in the first three years of his career.  It was only the seventh home run of the season allowed by Wichita State starter Rob Musgrave. 

 

            Wichita State took the lead for good in the fourth inning on a two run home run by catcher Tyler Weber.  His home run to left field, the fifth of the season surrendered by Florida State starter Elih Villanueva (7-3), scored Josh Workman who had reached base as he was hit by a pitch. 

 

            The Seminoles pulled to within one at 3-2 on a fourth inning home run by All-American Buster Posey.  His shot over the scoreboard in left field was his ACC leading 25^th of the season.  He is tied for second nationally in home runs and ranks behind only Michael Hampton of the College of Charleston who hit 26 round trippers this season. 

  

          The Shockers extended their lead to 5-2 in the top of the fifth with two runs on only one hit.  Workman, Wichita State's second baseman, smoked a double down the right field line to score shortstop Dusty Coleman who had earlier walked.  Workman would later score on an infield error.  Both of the Shockers' runs in the inning came with two outs.    

 

            Villanueva (7-3) lasted five innings before he was removed for reliever Jimmy Marshall in the top of the sixth.  Villanueva allowed five runs (four earned) while striking out three and walking one.  Additionally, he hit two batters.  Of the five total runs allowed by Villanueva, one scored after reaching on a walk and two scored after being hit by a pitch. 

 

           Wichita State scored four runs off of two Seminole pitchers (Jimmy Marshall and Tyler Everett) in the sixth inning to push its advantage to 9-3.  The big blow was landed by Shocker third baseman Conor Gillaspie who hit a three-run home run to make the score 8-3.  His home run scored left fielder Kenny Williams (who reached base on a walk) and centerfielder Andy Dirks (who had been hit by a pitch).  The Shockers added another run on a RBI single by Webber.

 

"I kind of saw how they pitched (Ryan) Jones," said Gillaspie.  "The guy was obviously trying to get it off the plate a little bit so I figured he was trying to go away from me and I got the pitch, he left up five-six inches and it was enough. That ball at Wichita State, you camp under it and it's an out and the innings over. He left the pitch up and I tried to put the barrel on it and it worked out for us."

 

            The Seminoles crept back into the game and chased Musgrave in the sixth inning with two runs on four hits to make the score 9-5.  Seminole left fielder Mike McGee and second baseman Jason Stidham had run scoring singles with Stidham's single up the middle spelling the end for Musgrave.  They added two runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull within 10-5.               

 

            In his first relief appearance of the year, Capra shut the door on a Seminole rally after Florida State closed the gap to 10-7.  He retired the only batter he faced to end the game.

 

"Well you've really got to tip your hat to Wichita State; they did an outstanding job," said Florida State Head Coach Mike Martin.  "(Rob) Musgrave was very impressive, it certainly was a gutsy performance on his part, 120 pitches on a warm day, you've got to credit him, just was very, very proud of our guys especially Tony Delmonico for showing the courage that he did to try to finish the game. Certainly the only thing that he was replaced was for a pinch runner there in the ninth inning but just very proud of our young men, the way we fought but credit Wichita State, they got it done."

 

"Well we just know as a team that regardless of where we are at with our backs against the wall we are still gonna come out and fight you and try to beat you and I'd rather be on this club then any other club in the country going into an elimination game and needing two wins," said Guinn.  "There is not a better team in the country in this type of situation."

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

2012-13 Season

General Information

2011-12 Season

FSU Downs Clemson, Clinches Atlantic Division Title

Weaver, Davis Lead Noles to Game Two Victory

McGee Named Semifinalist for Johnny Bench Award

FSU Drops Game One of Series to Clemson

FSU Battles Clemson For ACC Atlantic Division Title

Stewart Recognized As National Player of the Week

FSU Clinches Series, Downs NC State 8-4