Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

The Tennessee Volunteers looked dumbfounded at Dick Howser Stadium. FSU won Game 1 9-2, Game 2 4-0 and Game 3, today, 19-7. The Volunteers committed 4 errors in both Game 2 and Game 3. So much for a tight series featuring two Top 25 teams.

For the Seminoles, opening weekend should generate a lot of excitement about the rest of the season. Bryan Henry looked great on Friday night, striking out 11. Jack Rye went deep and FSU manufactured 9 runs. Mark Hallberg looks like he’ll be a great in the leadoff spot, his combination of speed and contact hitting can be deadly. Tony Thomas, Jr. was 4-6 on Sunday alone and was on base all weekend. Is this the breakout year for him offensively after two years of spectacular defensive play at second base?

Michael Hyde confused Volunteer hitters on Saturday, and if it weren’t for an insurance run late in the game, Seminole fans would have seen Buster Posey come out from behind the plate and close for the first time this season. However, that wasn’t necessary, so those attending Dick Howser Stadium were only treated to the couple of “lasers” that Buster threw down to second base. After a couple of years of average arms behind the plate for the Noles, it’s good to see Posey will strike fear in opposing teams trying to steal a base. Speaking of “lasers” D’Vontrey Richardson hits them all over the field. Even his outs were liners. Considering he hadn’t swung a bat in 7 months, FSU fans should be very impressed. Richardson will likely see more time at Designated Hitter if he continues to sting the ball.

Sunday’s 19-7 blowout of Tennessee featured 22 Seminoles in action. The Vols again failed to make plays as their pitching staff gave up 22 hits and 3 walks. Over the 2nd and 3rd innings, FSU sent 22 batters to the plate and in the 2nd, they batted around the order without making an out. Don’t be fooled by Ryan Strauss‘s four earned runs either Nole fans, he gave them up in the 4th and 5th when he was likely on cruise control with a 13 run lead, which lends themselves to throwing strikes and letting the other team hit it to the defense.

All in all it was a great opening weekend for FSU and a brutal blow to the ego of the Volunteers. FSU outplayed Tennessee in all aspects of the game all weekend. Up next for FSU is UNC Asheville next weekend at 5pm, 1pm and 1pm. The Noles are at home every weekend in February and have only one road game in Gainesville on February 20. In fact, they don’t go on the road for any length of time until the end of March when they hit the road to play Duke.

ScalpEm.com MVP for the series: Tony Thomas, Jr. (8-12, 3 2B, 7 R, 2 RBI and ONLY 1 strike out)