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Gator Baseball Opens NCAA Tournament With 7-3 Win

By Benjamin Henderson

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - MAY 20: Jud Fabian #4 of the Florida Gators catches a fly ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on May 20, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 6-1. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - MAY 20: Jud Fabian #4 of the Florida Gators catches a fly ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Baum-Walker Stadium at George Cole Field on May 20, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Gators 6-1. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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At first glance, the Florida Gators winning 7-3 over the Central Michigan Chippewas in the first game of the NCAA tournament isn’t going to raise any eyebrows.

A deeper look will show just how many sticky situations the Gator baseball team clawed their way out of to stay in the winners bracket and set up a matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Central Michigan opened the game with two singles before Gators’ starter Brandon Sproat got out of the early jam.

The Chippewas once again had guys on first and second in the 2nd inning before Sproat got out on the inning unscathed.

The Gators weren’t as fortunate in the 3rd inning. Danny Wuestenfeld drove home a run to put Central Michigan up 1-0.

Sterlin Thompson got the run right back for Florida on a solo home run, his 11th of the season, but there were still signs Florida was growing frustrated. Deric Fabian was notably frustrated at the strike zone after striking out himself in 3rd inning.

After Colby Halter added his own solo blast in the 5th inning and Jac Caglianone doubled in the 6th to also drive in a run, the Gators seemed to have things under control to bring home the victory.

Central Michigan however still had one last push Gator baseball had to fend off.

Sproat would leave two more Central Michigan runner stranded in the 7th before his night was over. Sproat finished with seven innings pitched, nine hits, two walks, six strikeouts, and just one earned run.

The 8th inning saw Central Michigan load the bases before Ryan Slater ended the threat with a strikeout.

The Gators could finally breathe in the bottom of the 8th when Florida strung together three hits and two walks to have four runs cross to the plate, making it 7-1 and putting the game out of reach.

Gator baseball will face Oklahoma, who beat the Liberty Flames 16-3 in their opening game. The winner of Florida vs Oklahoma will be one win away from the Super Regional round, while the loser will have to win three straight games to advance out of Regionals.

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