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Gators hosting Manhattan, winner faces Miami on Saturday in Gainesville Regional
Friday, June 3, 2011 | Baseball, Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
The first game of the Gainesville Regional is in the books here at McKethan Stadium with Miami defeating Jacksonville 7-2.
The game was tightly contested until the Hurricanes scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth, advancing to the winner's bracket to face the Florida-Manhattan winner at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Gators are currently on the field being introduced with first pitch set for shortly after 4 p.m. The game is live on ESPNU or you can watch online at ESPN3.com.
Miami coach Jim Morris was relieved after his team escaped early tournament trouble thanks to the four-run eighth. Miami starter Steven Ewing allowed just one hit and one run over six innings, and leadoff hitter Zeke DeVoss went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
“It's a big win for us,'' Morris said. “The guys got it done when they had to.''
Morris said it was key to open the NCAA Tournament with a victory, setting the stage for a possible matchup with the host Gators on Saturday.
“There is no question [the second game] is the biggest game of the year,'' Morris said. “It puts you in the driver's seat [if you win].''
The Gators are 5-10 all-time vs. Miami in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Gators have eliminated Miami in the past two seasons.
