The Florida Gators defeated Texas Tech 6-0 in the regional final on Monday afternoon, advancing to the Super Regionals following their third straight victory facing elimination.
Outfielder Wyatt Langford gave the Gators the only run they needed after he blasted a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the third inning. Langford earned a spot on the NCAA Gainesville Regional All-Tournament Team after recording five hits, six runs, and five RBIs across five games. The Trenton, Florida native also added five walks and two stolen bases to the stat sheet this weekend.
“I’m not going to tab him as the best we’ve ever had, but he’s really good,” Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said on Langford’s instincts. “He can do all kind of things on the field to beat you. He can hit, he can hit for power, plays great defense. WE have no reservations to play him in center (field). He’s seeing the ball as good as he has all year. He’s a really special player and we are really fortunate to have him here, and we’re going to enjoy him as long as we can.”
One inning later, BT Riopelle recorded his first hit of the tournament, launching a two-run home run to right center field, extending Florida’s lead to 3-0.
Josh Rivera continued his successful day at the plate, knocking home Wyatt Langford on an RBI single to center field in the bottom of the fifth. Rivera’s three hit, two run day earned him an All-Tournament Team selection at shortstop.
Later that inning, BT Riopelle did it again, lasering his second two run home run to right field, giving the Gators a 6-0 lead with just 12 outs to play. Entering the contest, Riopelle was 0-15 at the plate, but the veteran catcher seems to find a way to come up big in the clutch, much like we saw in the SEC Tournament a week ago.
“I’m glad we won as a team,” Riopelle said on his performance. “These were complete team wins, three games against first a top-ten team in UConn, and two good wins against Texas Tech, which is a really gritty program. There’s something to be said about that.”
“It means a lot to our club, it means a lot to [Kevin O’Sullivan], it means a lot to this program, this school, and all the fans that support it, I know it’s been a long time since we moved past this step, it’s just really exciting for everybody,” Riopelle said on what this win means to the team.
RHP Ryan Slater made just his third start for the Gators this season in a critical must-win game against the Red Raiders. The redshirt sophomore fired five strong innings, earning the win while allowing no runs, three hits, and two walks. The most impressive part of Slater’s outing was that he had already made two appearances during the regional tournament, throwing 30 pitches across three innings of work.
“Ryan (Slater)was a bit fatigued and didn’t try to strike anybody out, I think he struck out one,” Kevin O’Sullivan said during his opening statement. “He made them put the ball in play, and we played great defense really all weekend.”
Florida found a combined four innings of relief from LHP Philip Abner and RHP Brandon Neely, who capped off a very successful weekend on the mound.
Florida is set to face South Carolina inside Condron Ballpark for a three-game series from June 9-11, with the winner advancing to the College World Series.