Noles Take On Canes At Miami

MIAMI SERIES
In the most played series in school history for both teams, Florida State heads south to face Miami for a three-game set beginning Friday, April 27. This weekend marks the 247th meeting between these two intra-state rivals as the Seminoles lead the all-time series 129-113-4. The two schools are deadlocked at 57-57-2 in games played at the University of Miami. The Hurricanes have won four of the last six games in the series overall and four of the last six games played in Coral Gables. Since joining the ACC, Miami is 4-2 against Florida State taking 2-of-3 in both series in 2005 and 2006.

THE HURRICANES IN 2007
Miami is coming off a sweep of Virginia Tech last weekend in Blacksburg, its first of the season. The Hurricanes have won four of seven ACC series to start 2007 and sit with a record of 11-10 in the league good for fourth overall in the Coastal Division. The Canes are 25-17 overall and 17-9 in games played inside Mark Light Field. Yonder Alonso has led the offensive charge for Miami this season as the sophomore first baseman is leading the team in hitting (.356), home runs (11) and RBI's (45). On the mound, the Hurricanes have posted a team ERA of 4.21 as eight different pitchers have started for Miami this year. Freshman southpaw Eric Erickson, who has started seven games in 2007, is the team leader in wins (5) and ERA (2.29).

AGAINST THE HURRICANES
Brian Chambers is the only Seminole on the 2007 roster that has appeared in a game against the Hurricanes over the last three seasons. Jack Rye has handled Miami pitching pretty well over the last two years as he has posted an average of .389 (7-for-18) with four runs scored and six RBI's. Tony Thomas, Jr. is a career .250 hitter.

As a team, the Seminoles have posted an ERA of 2.94 despite maintaining a 2-4 record over the last two years. Bryan Henry is 1-1 as a starter. Travis Burge and Caleb Graham did not allow a run in three combined appearances a season ago.

HENRY VS. THE CANES
On Friday night, senior Bryan Henry will be making his third career start against the Hurricanes at a place where he solidified his role in the starting rotation two years ago. In 2005, the Tallahassee, Fla., native, who had just three prior starts to his name, got his first start on the road in ACC play against Miami. He pitched eight innings and held the Hurricanes to just one run on four hits in a 13-1 FSU victory. He struck out four and walked none. The 12-run victory was the most lopsided win ever for the Seminoles at Miami tying the 1957 team, which defeated UM 15-3. Henry was the victim of an infield error in a 7-3 loss to Miami in Tallahassee last year. The right hander went six innings allowing one earned run on six hits in the loss.