GAINESVILLE -- The NCAA’s new bat regulations are likely to mean more small-ball than shootouts this season, and that’s just fine with the University of Florida.
The No. 1 Gators looked well-equipped to handle the change in a 4-1 victory against South Florida on Saturday, leaning on their deep pitching staff, opportunistic offense and clutch defense to clinch their opening series. UF starter Hudson Randall threw six innings of one-run ball, and his offense scrapped together runs via two fielder’s choices, a double play and an infield single.
“The bats are going to change our game,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “I think it’s been well-documented by a lot of people. But I was really proud of the way the guys hustled out of the box. We played hard [Saturday].’’
The Bulls jumped out to a quick lead on a single, double and RBI groundout that scored Jonathan Koscso. But their lead didn’t last long, as UF shortstop Nolan Fontana laced a single, moved to third on a bunt and an error and scored on a fielder’s choice. Daniel Pigott got the next rally started with a leadoff double down the left-field line in the third inning, and he scored on a double play.
That was all the support needed for Randall and reliever Tommy Toledo, who earned his first career save with 2 1/3 innings. USF outhit UF 11-10 and had four multi-hit innings, but the Gators kept finding ways to wiggle out of trouble. Three singles in the fourth went to waste when UF center fielder Bryson Smith threw out South Florida’s Todd Brazeal — who tried to score from second — to end the frame, and Randall finished off the fifth and sixth with strikeouts that left runners in scoring position.
The play of the game came in the seventh though, when the Bulls loaded the bases against reliever Nick Maronde on two singles and a walk. With Toledo on the mound, USF shortstop Sam Mende smacked a sharp grounder up the middle. But Fontana made a diving stop and flipped to second to escape the jam.
The No. 1 Gators looked well-equipped to handle the change in a 4-1 victory against South Florida on Saturday, leaning on their deep pitching staff, opportunistic offense and clutch defense to clinch their opening series. UF starter Hudson Randall threw six innings of one-run ball, and his offense scrapped together runs via two fielder’s choices, a double play and an infield single.
“The bats are going to change our game,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “I think it’s been well-documented by a lot of people. But I was really proud of the way the guys hustled out of the box. We played hard [Saturday].’’
The Bulls jumped out to a quick lead on a single, double and RBI groundout that scored Jonathan Koscso. But their lead didn’t last long, as UF shortstop Nolan Fontana laced a single, moved to third on a bunt and an error and scored on a fielder’s choice. Daniel Pigott got the next rally started with a leadoff double down the left-field line in the third inning, and he scored on a double play.
That was all the support needed for Randall and reliever Tommy Toledo, who earned his first career save with 2 1/3 innings. USF outhit UF 11-10 and had four multi-hit innings, but the Gators kept finding ways to wiggle out of trouble. Three singles in the fourth went to waste when UF center fielder Bryson Smith threw out South Florida’s Todd Brazeal — who tried to score from second — to end the frame, and Randall finished off the fifth and sixth with strikeouts that left runners in scoring position.
The play of the game came in the seventh though, when the Bulls loaded the bases against reliever Nick Maronde on two singles and a walk. With Toledo on the mound, USF shortstop Sam Mende smacked a sharp grounder up the middle. But Fontana made a diving stop and flipped to second to escape the jam.
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