The 2000 meeting between Florida State and Miami is still talked about in the same breath as a baseball epic. After falling behind 9‑0 early, the Seminoles staged a comeback that stretched across 17 innings and lasted more than six hours, ultimately securing a 14‑13 victory that would become the longest game in program history for both schools.
Key moments punctuated the marathon: Marshall McDougall’s two‑run double in the bottom of the ninth tied the game, and later Ryan Barthelemy’s home run in the 17th inning kept the rally alive. Brett Groves, the Seminoles’ starting shortstop, delivered the decisive game‑winning double, capping a sequence that featured 37 hits and seven errors.
A Comeback That Defined a Season
The victory was more than a morale boost; it reshaped the trajectory of the Seminoles’ campaign. Former FSU assistant coach Chip Baker has repeatedly called the game one of the most remarkable comebacks in Seminoles history, recalling how fans left the stadium only to return as the drama unfolded.
Fast forward to the present, and the memory of that 2000 thriller still informs the team’s outlook. USA TODAY, Baseball America and D1Baseball currently project Florida State as a No. 8, No. 9 and No. 11 national seed respectively, reflecting a strong résumé that includes a potential double‑bye in the ACC tournament.
The Seminoles can lock in that double‑bye with at least one win in their upcoming series, a prospect that would mirror the historic momentum generated by the 2000 rally. The team’s recent performances suggest that the lessons from that marathon still resonate within the program’s culture.
Beyond the field, the game’s legacy is preserved by the institutions that document college baseball. Florida State University, the University of Miami, USA TODAY, Baseball America and D1Baseball all continue to reference the contest when chronicling the sport’s most memorable moments.