Florida forces deciding game vs. Virginia with 10-5 win

After losing to Virginia 1-0 earlier in the College World Series, the Florida Gators made their way through the loser’s bracket back to UVA on Friday, and will see the Cavaliers once more on Saturday after a 10-5 victory.

It came down to two big innings for the Gators, as they continue to pound the ball around TD Ameritrade Park. Virginia started Nathan Kirby, one of the best pitchers in the game, but that didn’t keep Florida from putting up four runs against him in the third inning.

The top of the Florida lineup finished off Kirby, as Harrison Bader and Richie Martin each had RBI hits to put the Gators up 2-1. Josh Tobias followed that up with a run-scoring single of his own, and would be the last batter Kirby would face on the day.

Alec Bettinger came in for Virginia, and was able to keep Florida at bay for a couple innings.

Then the sixth happened.

Tobias was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and then moved to third after a single and a walk to load the bases. Bettinger was able to force a fielders choice at home to get Tobias, but that would be the only out he would record in the inning.

Catcher Mike Rivera singled and Dalton Guthrie walked to score two runs. Those were also the last two batters Bettinger faced.

David Rosenberger took the mound, and another fielders choice scored the third run of the inning. Then Bader and Martin each picked up another RBI single, making the score 9-1.

UVA would put up three runs in the seventh and a run in the eighth to make it a more respectable 10-5 final. Matt Thaiss and Kenny Towns each drove in two runs for the Cavaliers.

These two teams will meet again on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the Championship Series. Florida is now 6-0 in elimination games this postseason. UF starter Logan Shore moved to 5-0 in the postseason, and could possibly be available to throw again on Tuesday if the Gators make it that far. He’s also the first pitcher in school history to win two games in the same College World Series.

Florida’s been on fire with the exception of that first Virginia game, so I would take the Gators on Saturday.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

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