Teddy Foster’s helmet flip said it all for the Florida Gators.
The senior catcher’s line-drive single to right field drove in two runs to cap off a three-run ninth-inning rally as eighth-seeded Florida beat Bethune-Cookman, 8-7, Friday on the first day of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Gainesville Regional at McKethan Stadium.
“I don’t think I’ve had a walk-off hit since I was eight years old,” Foster said.
The inning got started as Preston Tucker drove a 3-2 fastball into left field for a hit. Josh Adams worked the count full and reached first on a walk. Matt den Dekker got the green light on a 2-0 count and golfed a fastball into right field for a single, scoring Tucker and moving Adams to third.
Jerico Weitzel grounded back to the pitcher for the first out of the inning, moving den Dekker up to second. The Wildcats chose to intentionally walk Daniel Pigott to load the bases for one out, opening the door for Foster’s game-winning hit.
But there was almost an issue. With a 1-1 count, Florida third base coach Craig Bell called for time and motioned Foster down to chat.
“He actually put the squeeze on and then took it off,” Foster said. “He said I was scooting up in the box a little bit, and he thought it was because I was trying to have more field to bunt with. He called me down to make sure I wasn’t going to try and bunt.”
Coach Kevin O’Sullivan of Florida (40-20) has stopped being surprised when his team makes a fervent comeback in the final innings. Twenty-six of Florida’s 40 victories this season have been of the come-from-behind variety. It was the fifth time this season that the Gators have overcome a deficit of four or more runs.
“The one thing we’ve been doing all year is fighting our way back into games,” O’Sullivan said. “I can’t say enough about the way our team fought back in the ninth. Sometimes when you play at home you get that last at-bat and that seems to make a difference.”
Foster’s single put the Gators in the winners’ bracket of the Gainesville regional, but it also stole a win away from Bethune-Cookman ace Hiram Burgos. The senior pitched seven innings and threw 136 pitches, allowing eight hits and three runs. He left the game after the seventh inning, when he allowed a home run by Tucker that cut the Wildcats’ lead to 4-3.
The level of talent from Burgos to Bethune-Cookman’s bullpen takes quite a hit. Bethune-Cookman head coach Mervyl Melendez toyed with the idea of throwing Burgos back on the mound in the eighth inning, but the risk of overusing his arm and threatening his future was too much.
“He was getting a little tired,” Melendez said. “He’s a warrior. He’s not going to tell you he couldn’t go. We’ve got to make decisions not only on the game, but also on his future. Hiram is a pitcher that is going to have a future after college. We’ve got to look out for him. Of course he probably could have gone 180, but maybe he would have gotten hit harder or he would have gotten hurt. We’ve got to be smart.”
Florida starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani didn’t have the same luck. The freshman right-hander lasted only 2.1 innings, allowing four hits and four runs before being relieved.
In relief of DeSclafani, Patrick Keating and Tony Davis combined for 4.2 innings, allowing no runs and striking out five. Keating now has a 0.64 ERA in his last 14 innings. Davis has a 0.55 ERA in his last 16.1 innings pitched.
“That’s one thing we’ve been able to do,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ve mixed and matched our starters all year, just going with the hot hand. When you’ve got freshmen, sometimes their starts aren’t as good as you’d like. The one thing we’ve been able to do is piece it together for those next three or four innings to give our offense a chance to get back in it.
“Keating was outstanding tonight and Tony did his thing as usual. If our pitching could just give us a chance into the sixth or seventh inning with two guys or three guys, I like the way we are swinging the bat and scoring runs.”
Down 4-0 in the fifth inning, the Gators began to chip away. A one-out single by Avery Barnes, followed by a double by Jonathan Pigott that moved Barnes to third put Florida in prime scoring position. Tucker reached on an infield single to score Barnes and move Pigott to third. Adams followed with a line drive to center field to bring in Pigott.
Tucker’s home run and RBI single moved him to 79 RBI on the season, one short of the school record held by Ryan Shealy since 2002.
Drew Clark hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run to right field off Greg Larson in the eighth inning to push the Wildcats’ lead to 6-3.
“I was just up there trying to hit the ball hard,” Clark said. “Coach told me to get through the zone quick. He left a pitch over the middle, inner half of the plate and I got the barrel on it.”
The Gators answered back in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two runs on a single to right field by Mike Mooney, cutting the lead to 6-5.
Florida closer Billy Bullock gave up a solo home run to Ryan Durrence in the ninth inning to stretch the Wildcats’ lead to 7-5 before the Gators’ three-run ninth won the game.
The Gators now advance to play the Miami Hurricanes Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. The Hurricanes swept the Florida in Gainesville earlier this season, so the game will give the Gators an opportunity for revenge. Miami (37-20) advanced with a 9-4 victory over Jacksonville. In Saturday’s opener at 1 p.m. Bethune-Cookman (32-27) will play Jacksonville (36-21) with the loser going home.
Florida has not decided on a starting pitcher for Saturday, but senior left-hander Stephen Locke (4-2, 4.55 ERA) is the assumed choice. Ace left-hander Chris Hernandez (7-4, 4.43 ERA) will get the ball for the Hurricanes.
NCAA DIVISION I BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Double elimination
REGIONALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS/TEXAS
Seeds: (1/1) Texas, (2) Texas State, (3) Boston College, (4) Army
At UFCU Disch-Falk Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Boston College 8, Texas State 7
Game 2: Texas 3, Army 1
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Texas State (41-16) vs. Army (34-20), 1 p.m.
Game 4: Boston College (34-24) vs. Texas (42-13-1), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 1 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 2 p.m.
FORT WORTH, TEXAS/TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Seeds: (1) Texas Christian, (2) Texas A&M, (3) Oregon State, (4) Wright State
At Lupton Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Oregon State 9, Texas A&M 8
Game 2: Texas Christian 6, Wright State 3
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Texas A&M (36-23) vs. Wright State (33-29), 3 p.m.
Game 4: Texas Christian (37-16) vs. Oregon State (36-17), 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 8 p.m.
ATLANTA, GA./GEORGIA TECH
Seeds: (1) Georgia Tech, (2) Elon, (3) Southern Mississippi, (4) Georgia State
At Russ Chandler Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Southern Mississippi 17, Elon 15
Game 2: Georgia Tech 9, Georgia State 3
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Elon (40-17) vs. Georgia State (39-21), 3 p.m.
Game 4: Southern Mississippi (36-23) vs. Georgia State (36-17-1), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
GAINESVILLE, FLA./FLORIDA
Seeds: (1) Florida, (2) Miami, Fla., (3) Jacksonville, (4) Bethune-Cookman
At McKethan Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Miami, Fla. 9, Jacksonville 4
Game 2: Florida 8, Bethune-Cookman7
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Bethune-Cookman (32-27) vs. Jacksonville (36-21), 1 p.m.
Game 4: Miami, Fla. (37-20) vs. Florida (40-20), 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 1 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 6:30 p.m.
TEMPE, ARIZ./ARIZONA STATE
Seeds: (1/5) Arizona State, (2) Oral Roberts, (3) Cal Poly, (4) Kent State
At Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Oral Roberts 13, Cal Poly 3
Game 2: Arizona State 17, Kent State 6
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Cal Poly (37-20) vs. Kent State (42-16), 4 p.m.
Game 4: Oral Roberts (32-13) vs. (1/5) Arizona State (45-12), 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 8 p.m.
CLEMSON, S.C./CLEMSON
Seeds: (1) Clemson, (2) Alabama, (3) Oklahoma State, (4) Tennessee Tech
At Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Oklahoma State 10, Alabama 6
Game 2: Clemson 5, Tennessee Tech 4
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Alabama (37-20) vs. Tennessee Tech (30-23-1), 3 p.m.
Game 4: Oklahoma State (33-22) vs. Clemson (41-19), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
GREENVILLE, N.C./EAST CAROLINA
Seeds: (1) East Carolina, (2) South Carolina, (3) George Mason, (4) Binghamton
At Clark-LeClair Stadium/Lewis Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: South Carolina 11, George Mason 3
Game 2: Binghamton vs. East Carolina, ppd., rain
Saturday, May 30
Game 2: East Carolina (42-17) vs. Binghamton (29-20), 10 a.m.
Game 3: George Mason (42-13) vs. Loser Game 2, 2 p.m.
Game 4: South Carolina (39-21) vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 6 p.m.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C./NORTH CAROLINA
Seeds: (1/4) North Carolina, (2) Coastal Carolina, (3) Kansas, (4) Dartmouth
At Boshamer Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Coastal Carolina 11, Kansas 3
Game 2: North Carolina 5, Dartmouth 2
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Kansas (37-23) vs. Dartmouth (27-17), 1 p.m.
Game 4: Coastal Carolina (47-14) vs. North Carolina (43-16), 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 1 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 5 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 6 p.m.
FULLERTON, CALIF./CAL STATE FULLERTON
Seeds: (1/2) Cal State Fullerton, (2) Georgia Southern, (3) Gonzaga, (4) Utah
At Goodwin Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Gonzaga 19, Georgia Southern 10
Game 2: Cal State Fullerton 18, Utah 2
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Georgia Southern (42-16) vs. Utah (26-30), 5 p.m.
Game 4: Gonzaga (36-16) vs. Cal State Fullerton (43-14), 9 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 9 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 9 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, KY./LOUISVILLE
Seeds: (1) Louisville, (2) Middle Tennessee, (3) Vanderbilt, (4) Indiana
At Jim Patterson Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Middle Tennessee 5, Vanderbilt 4
Game 2: Louisville 8, Indiana 2
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Vanderbilt (34-26) vs. Indiana (32-26), 3 p.m.
Game 4: Middle Tennessee (44-16) vs. Louisville (45-15), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA./FLORIDA STATE
Seeds: (1) Florida State, (2) Georgia, (3) Ohio State, (4) Marist
At Dick Howser Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Georgia 24, Ohio State 8
Game 2: Florida State 16, Marist 4
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Ohio State (40-18) vs. Marist (31-27), Noon
Game 4: Georgia (38-22) vs. Florida State (43-16), 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, Noon
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
NORMAN, OKLA./OKLAHOMA
Seeds: (1/7) Oklahoma, (2) Arkansas, (3) Washington State, (4) Wichita State
At L. Dale Mitchell Park
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Arkansas 10, Washington State 3
Game 2: Oklahoma 5, Wichita State 4
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Washington State (31-24) vs. Wichita State (30-26), 2 p.m.
Game 4: Arkansas (35-22) vs. Oklahoma (42-18), 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 8 p.m.
IRVINE, CALIF./UC IRVINE
Seeds: (1/6) UC Irvine, (2) Virginia, (3) San Diego State, (4) Fresno State
At Anteater Ballpark/Cicerone Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Virginia 5, San Diego State 1
Game 2: UC Irvine 4, Fresno State 2
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: San Diego State (40-22) vs. Fresno State (32-29), 7 p.m.
Game 4: Virginia (44-12-1) vs. UC Irvine (44-13), 11 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 11 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 11 p.m.
OXFORD, MISS./MISSISSIPPI
Seeds: (1) Mississippi, (2) Missouri, (3) Western Kentucky, (4) Monmouth
At Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Western Kentucky 11, Missouri 5
Game 2: Mississippi 8, Monmouth 1
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Missouri (34-26) vs. Monmouth (32-24), 2 p.m.
Game 4: Western Kentucky (40-18) vs. Mississippi (41-17), 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 6 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 8 p.m.
HOUSTON, TEXAS/RICE
Seeds: (1) Rice, (2) Kansas State, (3) Xavier, Ohio, (4) Sam Houston State
At Reckling Park
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Kansas State 16, Xavier, Ohio 8
Game 2: Rice 5, Sam Houston State 2
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Xavier, Ohio (38-20) vs. Sam Houston State (36-23), 3 p.m.
Game 4: Kansas State (42-16-1) vs. Rice (40-15), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
BATON ROUGE, LA./LOUISIANA STATE
Seeds: (1/3) Louisiana State, (2) Minnesota, (3) Baylor, (4) Southern U.
At Alex Box Stadium
Friday, May 29
Game 1: Louisiana State 10, Southern U. 2
Game 2: Baylor 5, Minnesota 0
Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Southern U. (30-16) vs. Minnesota (39-17), 2 p.m.
Game 4: Louisiana State (47-16) vs. Baylor (30-24), 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 2 p.m.
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 7 p.m.
Monday, June 1
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, if necessary, 7 p.m.
SUPER REGIONALS
Host teams will be announced Monday, June 1 at 11 p.m. on http://www.NCAA.com
June 5-8 on campus
Best-of-three series
Austin Regional winner vs. Fort Worth Regional winner
Atlanta Regional winner vs. Gainesville Regional winner
Tempe Regional winner vs. Clemson Regional winner
Greenville Regional winner vs. Chapel Hill Regional winner
Fullerton Regional winner vs. Louisville Regional winner
Tallahassee Regional winner vs. Norman Regional winner
Irvine Regional winner vs. Oxford Regional winner
Houston Regional winner vs. Baton Rouge Regional winner
63rd COLLEGE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES
June 13-24 at Omaha, Neb., Rosenblatt Stadium
Double elimination
First-round matches
Austin Regional/Fort Worth Regional winner vs. Atlanta Regional/Gainesville Regional winner
Tempe Regional/Clemson Regional winner vs. Greenville Regional/Chapel Hill Regional winner
Fullerton Regional/Louisville Regional winner vs. Tallahassee Regional/Norman Regional winner
Irvine Regional/Oxford Regional winner vs. Houston Regional winner/Baton Rouge Regional winner
CHAMPIONSHIP
June 22-24
Best-of-three series
Bracket One winner vs. Bracket Two winner