April 5, 2005

The Streak Begins

Robinson Breaks FSU's Hit Streak Record

Robinson's Streak Ends At 40

Robinson Enjoying A Season For The Ages

WHAT A RUN

Despite the fact that Clemson was leading Florida State 7-3 in the bottom of the ninth in the series finale April 3 there was a lot of drama in the FSU dugout and Dick Howser Stadium stands. Shane Robinson's 40-game hit streak was hanging in the balance. The sophomore was 0-for-3 and he was the fourth batter due up in the final inning. The first two batters went down in order bringing up Brandon Manasa. The part-time player promptly fell behind 0-2 before getting the count to 2-2 and singling through the right side. The hit gave Robinson one last chance to tie the ACC record ironically set by a former Tiger (see chart). Robinson had only extended his hitting streak in the ninth inning on one occasion before and that was in 2004. The outfielder laced a ball to right field but it did not fall in ending the amazing run.

Not only did Shane Robinson record a hit in 40 straight games, he also stole 26 consecutive bases during the streak.

There really is no way to put into perspective what Robinson did but here are a few comparisons. There have been only five hitting streaks longer than 40 games in the history of Major League Baseball. On the major league level there have been 17 perfect games yet just five hitting streaks of 40 or more games. There have been 16 individual perfect games in DI baseball history so it is almost twice as likely a pitcher will throw a perfect game than a batter will hit safely in 40 straight games. During the streak Robinson has led off a game with a hit 15 times and picked up his first hit in the second inning seven more times. So 22 of the center fielder's first hits have come within the first two innings. He recorded the first hit in the seventh four times (Auburn, St. Joe's, Hawaii-Hilo and Hawaii Pacific).

"Looking at a guy like that, he doesn't have many weaknesses, so keeping the ball down and locating my pitches is the main thing. I just try not to make any big mistakes, but it's tough not to make a mistake against him, because even when you make a good pitch he still gets a hit." Clemson pitcher Stephen Faris

The hit streak would have been a little bit shorter if not for a ninth inning double in the Super Regional versus Arkansas in 2004. That was the latest the sophomore had to wait for the first hit of the game. Robinson recorded his first hit of a game in the third four times, in the fourth four times, in the sixth twice and the seventh four times. He had never recorded his first hit in the fifth inning until the series finale versus Duke when he extended the streak to 37 games on a fifth-inning base knock. The only inning in 2005 where Robinson hadn't recorded that first hit was in the ninth and that was where he needed one the most versus Clemson. Robinson has hit for a cycle as far as first hits go. He has got the first knock of the game via a single, double, triple and home run. He has 26 first hit singles and 12 first hit extra base hits. Nine times he has gotten his first hit via a double and once it come on a triple and twice via a home run. Seventeen of the final 17 first hits came on singles.

WHAT'S MORE LIKELY?

MLB Perfect Games -- 17

MLB 40+ Hit Streaks -- 5

NCAA DI Perfect  Games -- 16

NCAA DI 40+ Hit Streaks -- 7

NCAA DII Perfect  Games -- 14

NCAA DII 40+ Hit Streaks -- 4

NCAA DII 40+ Hit Streaks - 4

THE STREAK BY THE NUMBERS

1st Inning _______ 15

2nd Inning _______ 7

3rd Inning________ 4

4th Inning________ 4

5th Inning________ 1

6th Inning________ 2

7th Inning________ 5

8th Inning________ 1

9th Inning________ 1

Single___________ 28

Double__________ 9

Triple___________ 1

Home Run_______ 2

Tied FSU Record__ JU (3rd)

Broke FSU Record_ DU (3rd)

Streak Started____ UCF (6/5/04)

Streak Ended    CU (4/3/05)

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