Hudson Randall knew from the first inning. The Florida freshman right-hander took the mound at McKethan Stadium Friday night in the second game of the NCAA Gainesville Regional against Bethune-Cookman, and there wasn’t any doubt in his mind.
He felt as comfortable with his pitches as he did all season.
He felt he had the right stuff. Boy, did he ever. Randall dominated Bethune-Cookman, striking out a career-high 10 batters and not walking anyone as the third-seeded Gators cruised to a 7-3 victory.
“This is my best outing so far (this season),” Randall said. “I had to rise to the occasion. I was loving it out there. I felt like I was in a groove and everything was working for me. I threw all my pitches for strikes, and I had a little zip on my fastball.”
Randall pounded the strike zone with 79 of his 101 pitches over 7.1 innings. Not impressed? How about 37 pitches through four innings, 31 for strikes? He became the first Florida pitcher to strike out 10 since Bryan Augenstein did it against Alabama on May 5, 2007.
Randall improved to 8-3 and lowered his ERA to 2.97 with his performance. He has a 1.89 ERA in his last 10 starts. It’s no wonder Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan decided to give him the ball to start what the Gators hope will be a postseason run that will end in Omaha, Neb., the site of the College World Series. It didn’t hurt, either, that the Wildcats’ lineup included nine right-handed hitters.
“There was no hesitation starting him tonight,” O’Sullivan said. “I didn’t worry about him being a freshman. He doesn’t walk people. He’s around the plate.”
Randall moved his fastball over both corners of the plate, and when he got two strikes on a batter, he often bounced his curveball and watched as the Wildcats swung over the pitch. Bethune-Cookman came into the with 89 home runs, but Randall kept the Wildcats in the yard, surrendering just six hits (three doubles) and three earned runs in his 7.1 innings.
“We knew they were aggressive,” Randall said, “so if I located my fastball, maybe we could get them with some ground balls or pop ups. The early outs saved my pitch count.”
Jeff Barfield threw the final 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout.
The Gators took care of their offense in two innings, scoring four in the second inning and three in the sixth. In the second, Florida loaded the bases against sophomore left-hander Ali Simpson (6-2) with one out on singles by Austin Maddox and Daniel Pigott and a walk to Josh Adams.
Catcher Mike Zunino drilled a first-pitch hanging curve ball into left field to score Maddox and keep the bases loaded. Pigott then scored on wild pitch, and two runs scored when Nolan Fontana lined a single up the middle, giving Florida an early 4-0 lead.
“We got the four runs early and had to tack on more runs,” said senior Matt den Dekker, one of five Gators with two hits (Maddox, Fontana, Preston Tucker and Bryson Smith were the others). “They kept us off the board for a few innings.”
With two outs and runners on first and second in the sixth inning, Maddox hit a ground ball to first base. Ryan Durrence flipped the ball to pitcher Joey Munoz, who was covering the base, but the ball hit off his glove and rolled towards the first base dugout, allowing one run to score. Matt den Dekker followed with a triple off the center-field fence, scoring two runs and pushing the Florida lead to 7-1.
“We had a great game tonight, but we’ve got to put that behind us and get ready for tomorrow,” added den Dekker, who had two of Florida’s six stolen bases (in seven attempts). He now has 65 stolen bases in his career (fifth all-time).
His coach couldn’t risk a dig. “He probably thinks he’d be first on the list if he had the green light more often,” O’Sullivan quipped.
The Gators (43-15) now face Oregon State (32-22) in the winners’ bracket game at 7 p.m. after the Beavers beat Florida Atlantic, 6-4, in the rain-delayed opening game. It will be the first time the two schools have ever played each other and the first time the Gators have faced a Pac-10 team since the 2005 College World Series. Florida Atlantic (35-23) and Bethune-Cookman (36-21) meet in the 1 p.m. elimination game, the loser of which goes home.
“We really don’t know a lot about them,” O’Sullivan said. “I’m sure it’s going to be a late night watching video, but we do know they have really quality pitching.”
The Beavers will start sophomore Sam Gavilgio (3-3, 4.65 ERA). Florida will counter with sophomore left-hander Alex Panteliodis (9-2, 3.38).
NCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
REGIONALS / Friday-Monday, June 4-7 / Double-elimination
(1) ARIZONA STATE / TEMPE REGIONAL
Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark / Host: Arizona State University
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) Hawaii 4, (2) San Diego 3
Game 2: (1) Arizona State 6, (4) Milwaukee 2
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (2) San Diego (36-21) vs. (4) Milwaukee (33-25), 5 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (3) Hawaii (34-26) vs. (1) Arizona State (48-8), 10 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 4 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 9 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 9:30 p.m.
ARKANSAS / FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL
Baum Stadium / Host: University of Arkansas
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (1) Arkansas 19, (4) Grambling State 7
Game 2: (2) Washington State 8, (3) Kansas State 6
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (4) Grambling State (22-31) vs. (3) Kansas State (36-21), 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (1) Arkansas (41-18) vs. (2) Washington State (35-20), 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 8 p.m.
AUBURN / AUBURN REGIONAL
Plainsman Park / Host: Auburn University
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (2) Clemson 10, (3) Southern Mississippi 1
Game 2: (1) Auburn 9, (4) Jacksonville State 7
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (3) Southern Mississippi (35-23) vs. (4) Jacksonville State (32-25), 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (2) Clemson (39-21) vs. (1) Auburn (41-19), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m.Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
GEORGIA TECH / ATLANTA RGIONAL
Russ Chandler Stadium / Host: Georgia Institute of Technology
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (2) Alabama 11, (3) Elon 2
Game 2: (1) Georgia Tech 10, (4) Mercer 0
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (3) Elon (38-23) vs. (4) Mercer (37-23), 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (2) Alabama (38-22) vs. (1) Georgia Tech (46-13), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
(5) VIRGINIA / CHARLOTTESVILLE REGIONAL
Davenport Field / Host: University of Virginia
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (1) Virginia 15, (4) Virginia Commonwealth 4
Game 2: (2) Mississippi 10, (3) St. John’s 5
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (4) Virginia Commonwealth (34-25-1) vs. (3) St. John’s (40-19), 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (1) Virginia (48-11) vs. (2) Mississippi (39-22), 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m.
OKLAHOMA / NORMAN REGIONAL
L. Dale Mitchell Park / Host: Oklahoma University
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (1) Oklahoma 7, (4) Oral Roberts 6 (10)
Game 2: (3) North Carolina 12, (2) California 3
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (4) Oral Roberts (35-26) vs. (2) California (29-24), 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (1) Oklahoma (45-15) vs. (3) North Carolina (37-20), 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 Loser eliminated, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 8 p.m.
SOUTH CAROLINA / COLUMBIA REGIONAL
Carolina Stadium / Host: University of South Carolina
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) The Citadel 7, (2) Virginia Tech 2
Game 2: (1) South Carolina 9, (4) Bucknell 5
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (2) Virginia Tech (38-21) vs. (4) Bucknell (25-34), 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (3) The Citadel (43-20) vs. (1) South Carolina (44-15), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
(4) COASTAL CAROLINA / MYRTLE BEACH REGIONAL
BB&T Coastal Field / Host: Coastal Carolina University
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (1) Coastal Carolina 6, (4) Stony Brook 0
Game 2: (2) College of Charleston 9, (3) North Carolina State 6
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (4) Stony Brook (29-26) vs. (3) North Carolina State (38-23), 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (1) Coastal Carolina (52-7) vs. (2) College of Charleston (43-17), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
(2) TEXAS / AUSTIN REGIONAL
UFCU Disch-Falk Field / Host: University of Texas
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) Louisiana-Lafayette 1, (2) Rice 0
Game 2: (1) Texas 11, (4) Rider 0
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (2) Rice (38-22) vs. (4) Rider (36-22), 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (3) Louisiana-Lafayette (37-21) vs. (1) Texas (47-11), 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 2 p.m.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN / FORT WORTH REGIONAL
Lupton Stadium / Host: Texas Christian University
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) Arizona 10, (2) Baylor 9
Game 2: (1) Texas Christian 16, (4) Lamar 3
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (2) Baylor (34-23) vs. (4) Lamar (35-25), 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (3) Arizona (34-22) vs. (1) Texas Christian (47-11), 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 3 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 8 p.m.
CONNECTICUT / NORWICH REGIONAL
Sen. Thomas J. Todd Memorial Stadium / Host: University of Connecticut
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (1) Florida State 11, (4) Central Connecticut State 3
Game 2: (3) Oregon 5, (2) Connecticut 3
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (4) Central Connecticut State (33-22) vs. (2) Connecticut (47-15), 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (1) Florida State (43-17) vs. (3) Oregon (39-22), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 2 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
LOUISVILLE / LOUISVILLE REGIONAL
Jim Patterson Stadium / Host: University of Louisville
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (2) Vanderbilt 8, (3) Illinois State 7 (13)
Game 2: (1) Louisville 11, (4) St. Louis 2
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (3) Illinois State (31-23) vs. (4) St. Louis (33-28), 12 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (2) Vanderbilt (42-17) vs. (1) Louisville (49-12), 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 12 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 6 p.m.
(6) UCLA / LOS ANGELES REGIONAL
Jackie Robinson Stadium / Host: University of California, Los Angeles
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (2) Louisiana State 11, (3) UC Irvine 10 (11 innings)
Game 2: (1) UCLA 15, (4) Kent State 1
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (3) UC Irvine (37-20) vs. (4) Kent State (39-24), 5 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (2) Louisiana State (41-20) vs. (1) UCLA (44-13), 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 9 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 9 p.m.
CAL STATE FULLERTON / FULLERTON REGIONAL
Goodwin Field / Host: California State University at Fullerton
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) New Mexico 9, (2) Stanford 5
Game 2: (4) Minnesota 3, (1) Cal State Fullerton 1
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (2) Stanford (32-23) vs. (1) Cal State Fullerton (41-16), 7 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (3) New Mexico (38-20) vs. (4) Minnesota (31-28), 11 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 7 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 11 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 11 p.m.
MIAMI, FLA. / CORAL GABLES REGIONAL
Alex Rodriguez Park / Host: University of Miami
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (2) Texas A&M 17, (3) Florida International 3
Game 2: (1) Miami, Fla. 12, (4) Dartmouth 8
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: (3) Florida International (36-24) vs. (4) Dartmouth (26-18), 12 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: (2) Texas A&M (41-19-1) vs. (1) Miami, Fla. (41-17), 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 12 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.
(3) FLORIDA / GAINESVILLE REGIONAL
McKethan Stadium / Host: University of Florida
Friday, June 4
Game 1: (3) Oregon State 6, (2) Florida Atlantic 4
Game 2: (1) Florida 7, (4) Bethune-Cookman 3
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: Florida Atlantic (35-23) vs. (4) Bethune-Cookman (36-21), 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 4: Oregon State (32-22) vs. (1) Florida (43-15), 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 1 p.m. Loser eliminated
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7 (If necessary): Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m.