The Gators-Manhattan game is about to start in the Gainesville Regional here at McKethan Stadium.
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.
