Atlantic Sun Conference
Dolphins win at No. 3 FSU for the First Time in 26 Tries
Dolphins win at No. 3 FSU for the First Time in 26 Tries
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JU's Brad Simmons went 3-for-3 with a home run and a career-high four RBI to help win at No. 3 FSU for the first time in 26 games. <br><i></i>
JU's Brad Simmons went 3-for-3 with a home run and a career-high four RBI to help win at No. 3 FSU for the first time in 26 games.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The seven-year monkey finally came off the Dolphins' backs as junior catcher Brad Simmons went 3-for-3 with a home run and a career-high four RBI to lead the JU baseball team to a 7-6 shocker over No. 3 Florida State, Wednesday evening in front of 4,316 fans at Dick Howser Stadium.

JU (25-24), which last won at Howser Stadium with a 7-4 decision on April 29, 2001, has now defeated the Seminoles in back-to-back season for the first time since 1993-94. The win also gave the Dolphins their third win over a ranked opponent this season (No. 25 UCF, No. 17 Florida) and back-to-back seasons with victories over the Gators and Seminoles.

The Dolphins, which held an early 4-0 lead, fell behind 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth before rallying for three runs in the top of the eighth inning and never looking back.

FSU (40-8) had its 25-game winning streak against the Dolphins snapped after leaving eight runners on base and committing a game-high three errors in the field.

"I felt it was a huge game for us because things haven't been going well," said JU head coach Terry Alexander. Our pitching staff made some big pitches and we made some big plays but we didn't back down when they took the lead back from us. Right know we know we have what it takes to beat anyone but we still have to see if this is the turning point we've been looking for."

Junior Tim Brown (3-4) earned the win after allowing one run on two hits with three walks and a strikeout in 2.2 innings of relief. Freshman Matt Loosen notched his second save after hurling a scoreless inning in the ninth. Sophomore Carson Andrew, who retired the first 10 batters he faced, earned the no-decision after allowing three runs on five hits with a walk and five strikeouts in five innings of work.