FSU walks over UNF 16-3

Jack Rye collects three hits and six RBI as Seminoles improve to 14-0.

Florida State (14-0) continued its winning ways on Tuesday defeating North Florida (2-9) 16-3 at Dick Howser Stadium. Junior Jack Rye belted his third home run of the season and knocked in a career-high six RBI's, while the Seminoles extended their consecutive double-digit hits streak to 12 straight games in the win. With the victory, FSU moves one win closer to tying the all-time best start in school history of 15-0 established back in 1975 under then head coach Woody Woodward. That season was also the first as an assistant coach for Mike Martin.

Bo O'Dell (2-0) earned the victory as he worked a career-high five innings allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out four. O'Dell set down eight straight at one point, settling down after a shaky start where he gave up two runs in the second.

Caleb Graham and Casey Whitmer were impressive out of the bullpen as they combined for four scoreless innings of one hit ball. Both pitchers compiled three strikeouts a piece.

Florida State scored 16 runs on 14 hits while taking advantage of 12 walks by North Florida pitching. The Seminoles have now scored double-digit runs in 11 of 14 games this season, while collecting double-digit hits in 13 of its first 14 games. FSU posted runs in six innings including five innings of multiple runs.

Rye led the offensive explosion against the Ospreys going 3-for-4 collecting a single, a double and a home run to go along with six RBI's. It was the first six-RBI performance by a Seminole since Eddy Martinez-Esteve drove in six at Wake Forest on May 21, 2004. Rye once again came through with some clutch hitting as four of his six RBI's came on two outs. He got things going in the bottom of the first as he launched a two-run shot over the fence in right for his third home run of the season. Rye would knock in his third run as he drew a bases loaded walk in the third. In the fourth, he hit a two-RBI double off the wall in right and concluded the night with his sixth RBI on a single to right in the fifth. The junior right fielder now leads the team with 23 RBI's on the year as 17 of those runs have been driven in with two outs.

"I was fortunate enough to come to the plate with runners on base tonight," said Rye. "I just did what I could to drive them in."

Tony Thomas, Jr. extended his hitting streak to 14-games, tying his career-high, as he laced a double to left center in the bottom of the third. Thomas would finish the game 2-for-4 with a double and a triple and three runs scored. Catcher Buster Posey got a hit in his first at-bat to extend his hitting streak to 12-games, also tying a career-high. Posey finished the night 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and three runs scored.

Jason Stidham and Dennis Guinn each posted a pair of RBI's, while freshman Stephen Cardullo registered his first collegiate hit as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth taking the first pitch he saw over the wall in left center for a three-run homer.

Florida State will next travel to Clearwater, Fla., tomorrow, Wednesday, February 28 as the Seminoles will face the Philadelphia Phillies in an exhibition game at Bright House Networks Field, home of the Phillies spring training and their Class A minor league affiliate, the Clearwater Threshers. It will be the Seminoles' first-ever game versus the Phillies and the program's ninth all-time meeting with a Major League club. FSU is 2-6 in its eight prior exhibition games against Major League teams. Fans can follow all the action over the Internet. Gametracker will be available for the contest along with live radio broadcast courtesy of 1270 the TEAM.