By Josh Benton
The University of South Florida Bulls (0-2) jumped on starting pitcher Hudson Randall early, but Florida (2-0) went on to score four unanswered runs as the Gators took the second game of a three-game series 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.
Randall (1-0) gave up USF’s only run in the first inning and scattered seven hits, but got the win. He pitched six innings and struck out six without walking a single batter.
“I had to buckle down there and throw better pitches with runners on base,” Randall said. “I’m not letting them score, that’s the main goal. Coming into the season we’re just trying to limit the walks, pitch to contact and the defense is there to make the play for us.”
Perhaps the best defensive play of the game came from Florida senior Bryson Smith, who made a throw to home plate from center field in the fourth inning, catching USF first baseman Todd Brazeal trying to score.
“I enjoyed (playing center field) a lot,” Smith said. “I get to showcase my arm and legs out there, and I’m real comfortable out there.”
Florida Junior Tommy Toledo (0-0, 1 sv) got the first save of his career. Toledo pitched two and a third innings, allowing two hits and striking out one batter, walking none.
“I just waited for my opportunity to throw, and today I got my chance,” Toledo said. “I don’t know (if I’m the closer), but we’ll wait and see what happens.
“Whatever (head coach Kevin O’Sullivan) wants me to do I’m going to try and do as best I can. If he wants me to start, I’ll start and if he wants me to come in at the end of the game I’ll try my best and we’ll see what happens. “
Toledo missed most of last season after being struck by a line drive to his face.
“I’ve never really done it before but I just tried to go out there and throw strikes and see if I could get my defense working and they actually did today,” Toledo said. “The only thing you try to do is throw strikes, you don’t want to walk guys.”
Offensively, Florida sophomore shortstop Nolan Fontana continued to tear up USF pitching with a hit in each of his first three at-bats. Fontana has seven hits so far in the series, all of them coming in consecutive plate appearances over the first two games.
“(Fontana) is exactly what we want for this program,” O’Sullivan said. “He does the right thing on and off the field. He’s a gamer, he plays hard, he has leadership skills and he’s accountable. He’s just a tremendous kid and we’re lucky to have him. I joke with the other coaches that I’m going to miss him when he’s gone and they remind me that we have him for two more years, but I’m already missing him.”
USF senior Andrew Barbosa (0-1) took the loss. He threw six innings, giving up two runs, one earned. He struck out five batters and walked only one.
The official attendance for Saturday’s game at McKethan Stadium was 4,994. Combined with Friday’s contest, more than 10,000 fans have come through the gates so far this series.