FILE – Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan meets with umpires before the team’s NCAA college baseball game against Florida A&M in Gainesville, Fla., in this Wednesday, March 4, 2020, file photo. Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan might have the easiest or toughest job in college baseball this season. “Sully” has what’s widely considered the deepest and most talented team in the country. He can pencil in last year’s lineup and feel pretty good about his chances since Florida won 16 of 17 games before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered the 2020 season. He also has some daunting decisions ahead in terms of who to play and who to sit as the Gators try to pick up where they left off and remain the team to beat.(AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
Florida and Miami Shift to an 8 p.m. First Pitch
Florida and Miami will meet at 8 p.m. Saturday night in the Gainesville Regional after a long opening day pushed the schedule back. Miami and Troy did not finish their game until 1:48 a.m., triggering the NCAA rule requiring at least 12 hours between games when a contest ends after 1 a.m. The adjustment moved Florida’s second game of the Regional to the night session.
Troy and Rider open Saturday’s action at 3 p.m. in an elimination matchup. Florida enters the nightcap at 40‑19 after an 8‑7 walk‑off win over Rider in Friday’s opener. Miami arrives at 39‑19 after a late surge against Troy.
Hurricanes Break Away Late in Regional Opener
Miami earned its spot in Saturday’s showdown by pulling away from Troy in a 10‑5 win that stretched deep into the night. The Hurricanes used home runs from Vance Sheahan and Derek Williams to build an early lead, then answered a Troy comeback with a five‑run eighth inning that sealed the result. Lyndon Glidewell closed the final two innings to secure the win.
Miami built a 4‑0 lead in the third inning when Sheahan opened the scoring with a solo shot and Williams followed with a three‑run blast. Troy cut the margin to 4‑3 by the fifth, but Miami added a key run in the seventh before Troy tied the game with a two‑run homer in the eighth. The Hurricanes responded immediately with doubles from Jake Ogden and Max Galvin, an RBI single from Alonzo Alvarez, and a two‑run double from Brandon DeGoti to take full control.
Gators Look to Build on Walk‑Off Momentum
Florida opened its postseason with an emotional win. The Gators rallied late and walked off Rider 8‑7 to advance into the winner’s bracket. The victory set up a marquee in‑state matchup that now shifts under the lights because of the extended Friday schedule.
Updated Gainesville Regional Schedule
Saturday, May 30 Rider vs. Troy – 3 p.m. Miami vs. Florida – 8 p.m.
