Florida was leading Vanderbilt on Monday night when inclement weather forced the suspension of their 2011 College World Series grudge match. Tuesday morning, the Sunshine State’s finest made quick work of their SEC rivals.
College World Series 2011: Florida Tops Vanderbilt, 3-1, In Weather-Delayed Game
Florida defeated Vanderbilt, 3-1, thanks to a superb relief appearance from Steven Rodriguez. Rodriguez entered the game Monday night to clean up a jam left by Gators starter Karsten Whitson, then finished it on Tuesday without giving up a hit. Rodriguez struck out a career-high seven batters in his 4.1 innings of relief, and allowed just one base-runner on a walk.
Florida scored all three of its runs on a monstrous home run from Preston Tucker, the Gators’ first in Omaha. Vanderbilt managed just five hits against Whitson and Rodriguez, and fell to 1-4 against Florida in the 2011 season.
With the win, the Gators became the first team to move to 2-0 in the 2011 College World Series, and have secured off days until Friday, when they will face the winner of the elimination game between Vanderbilt and North Carolina that will take place on Wednesday.
For the latest on the tournament, head College World Series hub. You can find recaps of the opening round matchups, as well as previews of each team in the tournament there.
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