Gators CWS Notebook: Brighter Days for Rivera, Maldonado update and more

Gators catcher Mike Rivera is more relaxed and focused this year in Omaha after an angst-ridden trip in 2016. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Staff Photographer)

Gators CWS Notebook: Brighter Days for Rivera, Maldonado update and more

Monday, June 19, 2017 | Baseball, Scott Carter

The Gators opened the College World Series with a win Sunday against TCU and now face Louisville on Tuesday night at 7 ET.

By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer

OMAHA, Neb. – Gators catcher Mike Rivera is back at the College World Series, his third trip here in as many years. This time has a different feel for Rivera, a 180 from his experience as a sophomore in 2016.

Rivera went 0-for-3 in Florida's win over Texas Christian on Sunday night. His primary contribution was catching an outstanding performance from junior right-hander Alex Faedo, who struck out 11 Horned Frogs in seven shutout innings as the Gators stayed in the winners bracket. They face Louisville on Tuesday night at 7 ET.

While Rivera's mother Maria was back home in Florida with his sister, Elsie, for a softball event, his father and a friend were at TD Ameritrade Park watching the game. A year ago, Rivera was the only family member in Omaha as his father and sister waited for Maria to come out of a life-threatening surgery. Maria had liver cancer and underwent surgery for a liver transplant the night prior to Florida's CWS-opener against Coastal Carolina.

Rivera spent a sleepless night waiting on updates.

Maria Rivera, still groggy and with a gravelly voice, spoke to Mike the next day shortly before the Gators lost to Coastal Carolina. She made it out of surgery and focused on the road ahead.

Twelve months later, Maria continues to recover and return to a normal life free of the cancer that put her life in jeopardy. Her only son is back in Omaha, fresh off being drafted in the sixth round last week by the Cleveland Indians.

As he walked toward the team bus following Sunday night's win, Rivera took a moment to reflect on this CWS experience compared to the torment of last June.

"My personal life has changed a lot and I don't have as much going on,'' he said. "I've got my mom healthy and my dad is here. Usually he is taking care of my mom, so now he's here with me. Life's changing and we won our first game."

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NELLY UPDATE

Sophomore outfielder Nelson Maldonado was noticeably hobbled by an ankle injury in the fifth inning after rounding third base when Rivera grounded into an inning-ending double play. He stayed in the game and popped out to right in the seventh, capping a 2-for-4 night.

41673 — Nelson Maldonado during Sunday's game. (Photo: Tim Casey)

Maldonado doubled in the first and his RBI single in the fifth gave the Gators a 3-0 lead. Maldonado left the game in the eighth when center fielder Ryan Larson moved to right and Nick Horvath came in to play center.

Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan did not seem too concerned after talking to Maldonado and trainers.

"He'll be fine,'' O'Sullivan said. "He just tweaked it a little bit. I expect him to be fine on Tuesday."

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MEETING AN OLD FRIEND

TCU head coach Jim Schlossnagle has a reputation as one of the good guys in college baseball. He has definitely proved to be a good coach with four consecutive trips to the CWS, a feat accomplished only 12 times in the event's history.

The 41-year-old Schlossnagle began his career as an assistant at Elon, moved to Clemson for a season, and then served as associate head coach from 1994-2001 at Tulane, where he crossed paths with Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin.

Stricklin was a young college athletics administrator at Tulane and developed a good friendship with Schlossnagle. They have remained in touch over the years and reconnected at TD Ameritrade Park after Sunday's game.

Enjoyed reconnecting w/@TCUSchloss after tonight's game. We worked together at Tulane 20 years ago and have remained friends. Super guy. pic.twitter.com/Xga6h6CTko
— Scott Stricklin (@ScottStricklin) June 19, 2017

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FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL

Payton and Finn O'Sullivan have gone national.

O'Sullivan's daughter and son have enjoyed the spotlight all season at McKethan Stadium, where they often hang around the Gators and their dad in the dugout and on the field prior to games.

On Father's Day, Payton drew a picture for her dad that hung in UF's dugout during the game. The ESPN cameras showed the photo to the world and zoomed in on Payton and Finn in the stands multiple times during the game.

41683 — Payton O'Sullivan, the 6-year-old daughter of Gators head coach Kevin O'Sullivan, provided a special Father's Day gift on Sunday. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Staff Photographer_

Payton drew the picture to pass time while her dad was in a production meeting with ESPN prior to the game.

That's a Father's Day gift worth framing.

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BACK AT CWS

Gators softball coach Tim Walton, who recently led his team back to the Women's College World Series, has some history in Omaha.

Walton was on the mound for Oklahoma when the Sooners captured the 1994 title at Rosenblatt Stadium. Walton flew to Omaha on Saturday with a contingent of UAA personnel to watch the UF baseball team and catch his first glimpse of TD Ameritrade Park, where the CWS moved to in 2011.

"Have some special memories in Omaha,'' he said.

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QUOTE OF NOTE I
"It's definitely a little sigh of relief. You don't want to start playing out of the losers bracket. It's nice to be on the right side of it this time." – Gators SS Dalton Guthrie on winning the first game in Omaha

QUOTE OF NOTE II
"I know we're going to start [Brady] Singer. Other than that, I'm honest. I don't know much of anything – other than [Brendan] McKay is the best player in the country.'' – O'Sullivan on Tuesday's matchup against Louisville

QUOTE OF NOTE II
"Getting to Omaha last year was awesome, but going two and out was tough on us. Once we got back to Gainesville, didn't take too much time to get to work. I think that was what drove us all today.'' – Gators P Alex Faedo on Sunday's victory

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EXTRA BASES

The Gators joined North Carolina (2006-13) as the only programs since the tournament expanded in 1999 to make it to the CWS six times over an eight-year span … Faedo allowed two or fewer hits for the fourth time in 18 starts this season … Faedo has started six of UF's nine shutouts this season and saved one (Game 3 of super regional against Wake Forest) … Overall, Florida's pitchers have tossed 18 consecutive scoreless innings in the NCAA Tournament … Faedo (11) and closer Michael Byrne (4) combined for 15 strikeouts against TCU marking the 26th time in 66 games the Gators have struck out 10 or more batters … Byrne's 17th save Sunday tied TCU closer Durbin Feltman for the national lead … UF's 3-0 win Sunday was its first shutout in the CWS since defeating Florida State 5-0 in 1991 … The FSU-Cal State Fullerton game Monday afternoon is the 1,000th game in CWS history ... The Gators practiced on Monday afternoon as they turned their attention to Louisville, which knocked off Texas A&M 8-4 on Sunday in its first game of the CWS.