Florida pitchers dominating College World Series

18 innings pitched, 26 strikeouts, 12 hits against, and a 0.50 CWS ERA.

The Florida Gators are one win away from advancing to the College World Series Championship Series after impressive wins against TCU and Louisville. 

Florida has benefited from timely hits from their offense, but pitching has been the story thus far in Omaha.  The Gators pitching staff has shut down two of the most potent offenses in the College World Series.  

See also: Alex Faedo shines on big stage

Florida sophomore pitcher Brady Singer got the call to start against Louisville on Tuesday.  Following Alex Faedo’s seven inning shutout from Sunday was no easy fear.  But Singer didn’t back down.  Instead, against a Cardinals team loaded with MLB Draft picks, Singer excelled.  Singer’s final line reads: 7 innings pitched, six hits allowed, one earned run, and nine strikeouts. 

How has Florida’s staff neutralized their opponents in Omaha?  Simply throwing strikes.  Florida has only walked three batters in the two games while striking out 26.  

A more incredible statistic though: On Sunday, Faedo and relief pitcher Michael Byrne combined to throw 143 pitches. The two only threw a total of 33 balls.  TCU had 31 batters step up to the plate, and many of them only saw strikes blow past them.  TCU’s OF Austen Wade, who was drafted in the fifth round of the MLB Draft, went 0-3.  All-American C Evan Skoug, a seventh round pick, went 0-4 with 3 strikeouts.

On Tuesday, the trio of Singer, Nick Horvath, and Tyler Dyson threw a total of 135 pitches. Only 35 of those were called a ball by the home plate umpire.  Louisville had 34 batters in the game.  The Cardinals 4-5-6 hitters were each drafted between the first two days of the draft, led by fourth overall pick 1B Brendan McKay.  The trio hit a combined .250 (3-12) against Florida pitching.  

Florida’s pitching has carried them to two victories in the College World Series thus far.  Sophomore Jackson Kowar is set to pitch on Friday against the winner of Thursday’s TCU and Louisville losers-bracket matchup.  If Kowar can continue to pound the strike zone much like Faedo and Singer did, Florida will begin play in the Championship Series on Monday in Omaha.