Gators starter Randall turns in another vintage performance, a good sign for Florida
Saturday, May 12, 2012 | Baseball, Scott Carter
Photo: Gators starter Hudson Randall pitched one of his best games of the season on Friday night.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Thursday morning as he met with reporters to discuss his team, Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan called starter Hudson Randall's performance at Kentucky on May 3 "vintage Randall."
O'Sullivan had wanted to say that for a while but Randall's tired arm and some spotty outings got in the way. However, Randall's win over the potent Wildcats – he gave up six hits and three runs in 6 2/3 innings – finally afforded O'Sullivan an opportunity.
So what did O'Sullivan have to say on Friday night after Randall outdueled Mississippi State ace Chris Stratton, who entered the game with a 9-0 record and 2.19 ERA?
He offered some high praise.
"He might be the best pitcher I've ever coached, and I know that's a steep compliment and I know I've coached a lot of good pitchers along the way, but he just knows what he is doing on the mound,'' O'Sullivan said. "He's always got the count in his favor. He can mix. He's got four different pitches. He doesn't throw 95 but I wouldn't trade him with anybody."
When O'Sullivan was at Clemson, he coached Daniel Moskos, the fourth overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft. He knows starpower on the mound.
O'Sullivan's praise came after one of Randall's best outings of the season and his longest SEC start in 2012. Randall limited the Bulldogs to five hits and one run over seven stellar innings.
He didn't walk a batter and struck out two, using his trademark savvy to maneuver his way up and down Mississippi State's lineup in a 4-1 Gators win.
When Randall is at his best, he can throw four pitches for strikes: a fastball, cutter, curveball and change-up.
He was at his best Friday, saying that he "found" his curveball after struggling with the pitch at times this season.
"I'm feeling more comfortable than ever,'' Randall said. "Maybe the scoreboard will say it's my best outing but I felt better some other outings. Today everything was going my way. All the ground balls were finding my infielders and fly balls as well.
"It's a good feeling."
Randall, who was 11-3 as a sophomore, improved to 6-1 with his win over Stratton, who lost for the first time in nearly a year.
While Randall hasn't been bad this season, he hasn't been vintage as often as his excellent sophomore season. He looks to be on his way back according to teammate and roommate Steve Rodriguez, who closed out Friday's win with a pair of scoreless innings.
"We talk about it all the time,'' Rodriguez said. "He just wants to get back out there and just be his old self again, be back to the guy he was last year and the guy we could depend on every Friday night."
He was that guy Friday. Vintage Randall.
"He matched [Stratton] pitch for pitch. He did what he needed to do,'' O'Sullivan said. "He kept the ball off the barrel, didn't go to very many three-ball counts. He was in control.
"It just goes to show you that if you throw strikes and locate and be able to change speeds, you can have a lot of success in this game."
