Florida State Ushers Out Fullerton

Florida State had too much firepower and pitching for Cal State Fullerton Wednesday night in the College World Series.

The Seminoles ended the Titans’ NCAA playoff run with a 7-2 victory in front of 22,155 at Rosenblatt Stadium, overwhelming starter Jon Smith (7-1) with consecutive home runs in the third inning after scoring twice in the second.

The Titans (50-14) hit only .220 in the College World Series, bowing out with eight runs and 22 hits in three games. It was the fewest runs scored in three consecutive games this season by a Titan team that still set a school record with its .338 batting average.

Florida State (55-13) advances to a repeat matchup with Stanford (50-13) today, thanks to Chris Chavez’s complete-game seven-hitter in his third start of the season.

Kirk Saarloos, the Titan closer, held Florida State to only one hit and no runs in 4 1/3 innings, but the damage had been done.

“Chavez is a bulldog of a pitcher, and they played great defense behind him,” Titan Coach George Horton said. “We didn’t swing the bats as well as we have this season, but when you come to Omaha you know you’re playing against the best teams in the country.”

It was the second victory for Chavez (8-5) in the College World Series after pitching five innings in relief Saturday against Texas A&M.;

“It was a big disappointment to him that he didn’t get to pitch here last year,” Martin said of Chavez, who has been primarily a relief pitcher this season. “I made up mind that he was going to get the ball this year. The weather helped us too. The rainout gave him another day of rest.”

Alabama 6, Rice 5--Sam Bozanich blooped a two-out single into short right field to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, eliminating Rice. The Alabama rally came against Rice’s top pitcher, Mario Ramos, who came in to start the ninth. The Crimson Tide overcame two home runs by Damon Thames, who drove in four runs.

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Today’s Games

* Game 11--Miami (48-13) vs. Alabama (53-15), 12:30 p.m.

* Game 12--Stanford (50-13) vs. Florida St. (55-13), 5:30 p.m.

All times Pacific