Florida Baseball: Gators defeat LSU behind arms of Singer, Byrne

On the biggest stage in Omaha, the Florida baseball team squared off against LSU in game one for a chance to inch closer to becoming national champions.

This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with the Florida baseball team taking two of three wins against LSU in the regular season matchup in Gainesville.

The Gators came into this series after defeating TCU in an elimination game behind the arm of P Alex Faedo.

LSU was scorching hot coming into this matchup. Riding a three-game win streak, and defeating the number-one team in the country, Oregon State, in back-to-back outings to advance to this stage.

Florida Gators head coach Kevin O’Sullivan gave the nod to Brady Singer (8-5) to stop this LSU lineup. Singer arguably had his best start of the season in his only meeting against LSU this year. In Gainesville, he threw a complete game, only allowing one run on six hits, and striking out 4 batters on 109 pitches.

LSU handed the ball over to an unfamiliar pitcher to this Gators lineup. Ryan Reynolds, the senior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana made his first start since 2015.

The right-hander had only thrown 14.2 innings coming into this game this season, all in relief duties. He had an ERA of 8.59 and allowed 14 runs in the limited action he has seen in 2017. Reynolds has been used sparingly this CWS, pitching only one inning against Oregon State.

In game one of tonight’s championship series, you couldn’t have written the script any better. The Gators have relied on their starting pitcher to deliver deep into ball games. Brady Singer delivered that tonight.

The sophomore had his slider working all night, helping him generate a College World Series record 12 strikeouts. Over the course of 7+ innings and 112 pitches, Singer allowed 3 runs on 8 hits.

Both pitchers cruised through the first three innings.

In the fourth, the Gators got ahead of counts and forced Reynolds to throw strikes, but ultimately walking the first three batters of the inning, loading the bases for the Gators with 0 outs.

Left-hander Nick Bush relieved Reynolds to face the left-handed Austin Langworthy.

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After falling behind the count 2-0, Bush forced Langworthy to pop out in foul territory. Luckily, after a long run by the SS Kramer Robertson, Guthrie was able to race home and score the first run of the game.

3B Jonathan India followed suit with a ground-rule double over the center field wall that extended the Gators lead to 3-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, Singer found himself in some trouble of his own.

LSU’s left-fielder, Antoine Duplantis, lead off the inning with a single, and the right-fielder, Gregg Deichmann delivered a single the following at-bat.

With runners on first and second, Singer struck out the next three batters to end the threat of LSU.

The next two innings went pretty quietly.

In the 6th inning, LSU closed the gap. Singer retired the first hitter of the inning, before allowing a solo home run to Antoine Duplantis, making the score 3-1.

The LSU crowd awoke and Singer began to feel the purple and gold that filled TD Ameritrade Park.

With two outs, Singer proceeded to hit CF Zach Watson and walk the 3B Josh Smith to get the crowd to rise to their feet. The lead run stepped into the box.

DH Beau Jordan roped a single into left field to plate another LSU run. After 6, the score read 3-2 Gators.

The Florida Gator bats have also relied on timely hitting during this postseason. In the 7th, the Gators answered.

Austin Langworthy took 2 bags with a double to begin the 7th. With a runner in scoring position for just the second inning this game, the Gators needed to add insurance runs.

Jonathan India pushed Langworthy over to third with a bunt to the pitcher. C Mike Rivera connected with a 1-2 pitch and lined a single into center, scoring Langworthy.

With the Gators now up 4-2, Singer jogged back out to the mound to continue the 7th. He stranded two LSU runners in the bottom half.

In the 8th, Singer reentered. Telling head coach Kevin O’Sullivan he wanted to retire Gregg Deichmann one more time.

However, Deichmann doubled to begin the inning and created life for the LSU baseball team.

Florida’s closer Michael Byrne entered the game after another terrific performance from Brady Singer.

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Byrne retired his first hitter and then a momentum shifting played occurred. With a runner on second, Josh Smith hit a ball into right center, scoring Deichmann, but, Florida’s CF Nick Horvath threw out Smith, who tried to double.

Florida only allowed one run in the 8th. Taking a 4-3 lead into the 9th, where we would see Michael Byrne again.

Byrne was seeking his 19th close of the season. He retired the first 2 men of the inning. Then, Kramer Robertson stepped up into the box with a chance to tie the game.

Robertson vs Bryne. Florida’s best closer verse their best player.

Getting a 2-2 count, Byrne got Robertson to eventually line out to left and end the game.

Behind another deep outing from the starting position, and timely hitting, the Gators are in the driver’s seat heading into Tuesday night.

In the current format, 10 of the 14 winners of game 1 have hoisted the trophy. The Gators are looking to become number 11 on Tuesday night.

Game two is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.

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