Wake Forest University
Florida State
Wake Loses To FSU
3/30/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 30, 2001
Tallahassee, Fla. - The 24th-ranked Wake Forest baseball team was defeated 12-3 by Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday night. Sophomore starter Ben Clayton took the loss for the Demon Deacons who fall to 19-8 on the season.
The Seminoles drew first blood with four doubles on their way to five runs in the second inning. Five more came across in the sixth and FSU starter Blair Varnes did the rest, fanning a career-best 13 batters in eight innings.
The Demon Deacons trailed 6-0 after five innings but appeared to be clawing their way back into the contest. Wake Forest plated two runs in the sixth. Nick Blue got aboard after being plunked by Varnes. Freshman Steve LeFaivre doubled to put runners on second and third with no one out. Jamie D?Antona grounded out but a runner scored. Sophomore Ryan Johnson singled through the middle to score LeFaivre. But the Deacons couldn?t muster any more runs in that inning.
The Seminoles made Wake Forest pay in the next inning when first baseman Ryan Barthelemy nailed a grand slam off reliever Adam Hanson that put the game out of reach. In all, Florida State had nine extra base hits.
Clayton took his first loss of the season, surrendering six runs on eight hits through five innings of work. Clayton had won six straight games dating back to last season. It was his first loss since March 12, 2000, against NC State.
Ryan Johnson was the bright spot for the Demon Deacons tying a career-high three hits. He went three-for-three with a walk and an RBI. Jamie Athas continues to hit the ball well in conference play. His two hits on Friday raised his average in ACC games to .410 (16-of-39).
Wake Forest (19-8, 6-4) gets another shot at the 11th-Seminoles on Saturday at Dick Howser Stadium. Cory Sullivan, the reigning ACC pitcher of the week, gets the start for the Deacons. The game will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be televised on the Sunshine Network.
Wake Forest (19-8, 6-4) 000 002 100 - 3 10 1Florida State (25-7, 9-1) 050 105 01X - 12 12 0
