Gators Two Wins (Over FSU) Away from Omaha
Friday, June 10, 2016 | Baseball, Scott Carter
The in-state rivals meet for the third time in a super regional
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida State baseball coach Mike Martin sometimes has a way with words, much like Bobby Bowden, his longtime ex-colleague in Tallahassee.
Martin dipped into his folksy vernacular this week as he tried to put in perspective how important it is for the Seminoles to take advantage of their scoring opportunities in the Gainesville Super Regional against the pitching-rich Gators.
"You know you are not going to get many," Martin said. "It's very important that you make hay while the sun shines, if the sun shines."
The Florida pitching staff has blocked out the sunshine on many a lineup and with a berth in the College World Series at stake, it will try to do the same in the best-of-three series against FSU.
The teams met three times during the regular season and UF pitchers limited the Seminoles to four runs and a .218 batting average. UF won all three games and has defeated FSU five consecutive times dating to last year's Super Regional at McKethan Stadium.
| Year | Event | Location | Result |
| 1958 | NCAA District III Tournament | Gastonia, N.C. | Florida W, 2-1 |
| 1962 | NCAA District III Tournament | Gastonia, N.C. | Florida W, 1-0 |
| 1962 | NCAA District III Tournament | Gastonia, N.C. | FSU W, 3-1 |
| 1979 | NCAA East Regional | Tallahassee | Florida W, 9-5 |
| 1981 | NCAA South Regional | Coral Gables | FSU W, 5-1 |
| 1981 | NCAA South Regional | Coral Gables | Florida W, 5-4 |
| 1988 | NCAA East Regional | Tallahassee | Florida W, 9-3 |
| 1991 | College World Series | Omaha, Neb. | Florida W, 5-0 |
| 1996 | College World Series | Omaha, Neb. | Florida W, 5-2 |
| 1996 | College World Series | Omaha, Neb. | Florida W, 6-3 |
| 2005 | NCAA Super Regional | Gainesville | Florida W, 8-1 |
| 2005 | NCAA Super Regional | Gainesville | Florida W, 8-5 |
| 2008 | NCAA Regional | Tallahassee | FSU W, 17-11 |
| 2010 | College World Series | Omaha, Neb. | FSU W, 8-5 |
| 2015 | NCAA Super Regional | Gainesville | Florida W, 13-5 |
| 2015 | NCAA Super Regional | Gainesville | Florida W, 11-4 |
A year ago the Gators advanced to Omaha by outscoring FSU 24-9 in two games. The in-state rivals meet again starting Saturday night at 6.
The No. 1 overall seed Gators (50-13) are favored to knock off the Seminoles (40-20) because of their pitching depth, which has been on full display in the MLB amateur draft the past two days.
Five UF pitchers – and seven Gators overall – were among the first 108 players selected in the draft. Junior left-hander A.J. Puk, selected by the Oakland A's with the sixth overall pick, might not even start in this weekend's super regional.
Florida starters Logan Shore (11-0, 2.44 ERA) and Alex Faedo (13-1, 3.19) earned victories in the Gainesville Regional while Puk (2-3, 3.21) struggled with consistency in his 10th no-decision in 15 starts.
Whether he faces the Seminoles or not, Puk can relate to Martin's concerns on facing the Gators.
"Some of the best pitchers in the country are on this team, definitely one of the better pitching staffs in the country, from our starters to the bullpen,'' Puk said. "Our depth is really impressive."
Puk and fellow hurlers Shore, Dane Dunning, Shaun Anderson and Scott Moss all went in the first four rounds of the draft. Outfielder Buddy Reed and first baseman Peter Alonso were selected in the first three rounds.
Now that the draft is behind them, Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan regrouped his team on Friday with an eye toward FSU.
"It has to be total focus on what we need to do,'' O'Sullivan said. "The timing of the draft isn't perfect, but it's the same for everybody. I do trust this team. They will be able to balance the draft with what's at stake."
As the first two rounds of the draft unfolded Thursday night, O'Sullivan was also in the news. The ninth-year Gators head coach has been linked to the Texas opening ever since Augie Garrido stepped down last month.
However, D1Baseball.com reported late Thursday that O'Sullivan has no interest in leaving Florida and plans to continue to lead a program he has built into one of the nation's best.
That is certainly good news for Florida fans and eliminates a potential distraction as the Gators continue their journey through the postseason.
The players were off Monday and O'Sullivan gave them Thursday evening away to enjoy the draft with their families. As for any draft hangover against FSU, the Gators said that won't happen.
"They know us really well and we know them really well,'' Reed said. "It's going to be a chess match. They are probably going to come in here with a chip on their shoulder after losing to us in last year's super regionals. We don't like them and they don't like us. We expect the best out of them and they are going to get the best from us."
The return of Alonso from a broken bone in his left hand in the regional provided Florida's offense a much-needed jolt. Alonso went 8-for-14 with three home runs and eight RBIs. Alonso and sophomore DH/catcher JJ Schwarz (15-for-33, six home runs and 14 RBIs in eight career games against FSU) provide the pop to complement UF's pitching.
Not that a Florida-Florida State series needs any extra fireworks, but when a CWS berth is on the line, added drama at the ballpark fits in like hotdogs and cold sodas.
"Obviously there is a little extra motivation when you compete against the University of Florida,'' FSU's Martin said. "They took advantage of every mistake we made and beat our eyes out [last year]."
Alonso will take his cuts and try to do it again.
"It's a big deal,'' he said of facing FSU at this stage of the season. "We've got to bring our best. It's that rivalry. It's going to be an extremely intense [series]. The regular-season results don't matter. Everyone's goal is to make it to Omaha. It's right in front of us."
