2010 College World Series: Florida, Florida St. in Sunshine State Elimination Game

Every time a team can clinch a Regional, Super Regional or spot in the Championship Series, there is a lot of drama and pressure, but it’s pretty tough to beat the nerves and anxiety that comes with an elimination game. That’s what Florida and Florida St. face when they take to the field in the sandwich game of a College World Series triple-header at Rosenblatt Stadium. Add in the in-state rivalry and this game has all the makings of a potential classic.

Florida, the number three national seed, just couldn’t get anything to go their way versus UCLA in their College World Series opener. A team that got to Omaha by doing all the little things right, couldn’t get the little or big down on Saturday. The Gators were sixth in the nation in fielding percentage, but made costly mistakes versus UCLA. The Gators averaged just .74 wild pitches per game all season, but threw four, two with men at third, on Saturday night. Florida only hit one batter per nine innings this season, but four Bruins were plunked on Saturday and two came hoem to score. It was a nightmare of a game for the young Gators and after that 11-3 loss, they face elimination.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, Florida St. was thoroughly beaten by TCU, even if the score didn’t show just how dominant the Horned Frogs were. After the Seminoles got one run in the first on a TCU error, they were outscored 8-0 the rest of the way. From innings two through six, Florida St. didn’t manage a single hit, meanwhile, their ace, Sean Gilmartin was struggling with his control and getting hit hard whenever he found the plate. Most depressing for Seminoles fans is that after they lost the lead, Florida St. showed no signs of ever getting back in the game. They couldn’t put together a rally or threaten the comfortable Horned Frogs all day.

With their backs against the wall, both Florida and Florida St. will come out blazing this afternoon. If the Noles are to get past the Gators, they’ll have to best the sensational freshman, Hudson Randall. With a 8-3 record and 2.95 ERA this season, Randall has been as reliable as the Gators have, but there’s always those freshman jitters on the big stage that could change things.

Breaking down the teams part by part, you have a Gator team that is better on the mound, much better in the bullpen and at least equal, if not better at the plate. If Florida gets back to their regular season defensive work, they shouldn’t have trouble beating the Seminoles, but an elimination game brings out the desperation that can flip a game on its head. So, who will be the first team eliminated from the College World Series?