![Florida's outfielder Kyle Jones (3) with a homer in the bottom of the first inning against Rider in Game 1 of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida, Friday, May 29, 2026. The Gators beat the Broncs 8-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5771,h_3246/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/production/213/01kswbtzy1r9y5d1t5px.jpg "Florida's outfielder Kyle Jones (3) with a homer in the bottom of the first inning against Rider in Game 1 of the NCAA Gainesville Regional at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida, Friday, May 29, 2026. The Gators beat the Broncs 8-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026")
Florida’s win over Rider was a bit more stressful than the fans, and frankly, Kevin O’Sullivan would have preferred. They had a comfortable lead that they blew, and looked like they were going to be the victim of a day one upset before Brendan Lawson saved the day with a walk-off home run to beat Rider 8-7.
But considering the way day one of the NCAA Tournament played out across the country, the fact that the Gators are sitting at 1-0 is perfectly fine as they get ready to take on Miami at 8 PM in the winner’s bracket of the Gainesville Regional.
Florida moves to 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament
Yes, Florida had to stress a bit and because it was the early game it gave rivals a chance to poke fun at Florida for having to survive against Rider.
But once the day was done, you know what Regional host didn’t end the day 1-0?
FSU.
Auburn.
UCLA.
Southern Mississippi.
As fun as it is to poke fun at FSU for losing, and it is quite fun after all the nonsense they tried to talk during Florida’s game, it’s the Southern Mississippi loss that might have the most impact on the Gators. The Gainesville Regional is set to face the winner of the Hattiesburg Regional, and as it stands, it’s Jacksonville State and Little Rock are the two 1-0 teams in the regional.
Of course, Florida still needs to win two more games to get out of its own regional. They take on Miami tonight in the 1-0 game, a game that has been a bit of a struggle for Florida in recent years. While the Gators have owned Miami in recent years, Florida hasn’t started 2-0 in Regionals since 2018.
But Florida’s decision to start Russell Randefer against Rider ultimately paid off, as Florida will have Aidan King to start against Miami, with Liam Peterson ready to go for Sunday. A win on Saturday would leave Florida just one win away from Super Regionals, while a loss would mean they need to win three games in a row over two days to advance.
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