By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, June 4, 2011
GAINESVILLE — Florida shortstop Nolan Fontana hit an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Gators a dramatic 5-4 victory over Miami Saturday in the NCAA baseball tournament's Gainesville Region at McKethan Stadium.
The No. 2 overall seed Gators are one win from next week's 16-team Super Region. Florida plays at 4 today against the winner of the noon game between Miami and Jacksonville. Florida has won 10 of the past 11 meetings against the Hurricanes, seven consecutive.
"It's exciting, to say the least it's exciting," Fontana said. "We'll enjoy it, but tomorrow's another day."
Florida (47-16) rallied from a 2-0 deficit. With the score tied at 4 in the ninth, Gators reliever Tommy Toledo gave up a leadoff double but retired the next three batters, making an acrobatic catch before throwing out Chantz Mack at first base to end the inning.
"It was just a chopper back to me that hit the top of my glove, and I was just fortunate enough I got under it right afterward," said Toledo, a former Alonso High star.
Miami (37-22) committed four errors, which all led to UF runs. The Hurricanes had two walks and a wild pitch in the ninth.
"We made too many errors," UM coach Jim Morris said. "That's the bottom line for us."
Jacksonville reached today's elimination game with a 5-4 victory over Manhattan.
Florida State wins
UCF 16, BETH.-COOKMAN 5: Jonathan Griffin had a homer and five RBIs as UCF (39-22) stayed alive, ousting Bethune-Cookman (36-25).
Division II
WEST FLORIDA CHAMPS: West Florida won its first baseball national title, 12-2 over Winona (Minn.) State in Cary, N.C. Taye Larry and Brandon Brewer had three hits and three runs apiece for the Argonauts (52-9).
Information from Times wires was used in this report.