ChompTalk.com

While the Florida Gators were a fringe NCAA tournament team, they set out to prove the doubters wrong. Florida opened regional play with a 5-2 win over Nebraska behind a 4-5 day at the plate from freshman Ashton Wilson.

Wilson, who entered post-season play with just four career starts (all at the end of the regular season), recorded three doubles and crushed a home run off the scoreboard to lead Florida’s offensive charge.

The Gators’ Cade Kurland opened the scoring with a leadoff homer to left-center on an 0-2 offering from Nebraska starter Brett Sears.

Nebraska got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Gabe Swansen hit an RBI double to even the score.

In the third inning, Wilson hit his second double of the game, this one driving in a pair of runs as Jac Caglianone and Tyler Shelnut scored as Florida took a 3-1 advantage.

Nebraska got to within one on Swansen’s homer off the scoreboard in left in the sixth.

Florida added insurance runs in the eighth and ninth to stretch the lead to 5-2. In the eighth, an RBI single by Kurland plated Dale Thomas and in the final frame, Wilson crushed a home run off the middle of the large scoreboard in left center.

On the mound, Florida turned to freshman Liam Peterson. Peterson didn’t disappoint. The talented righty tossed 5.1 innings surrendering two earned runs and allowing four hits. He also struck out seven and walked three.

After Swansen’s homer, head coach Kevin O’Sullivan turned to veteran Fisher Jameson. Jameson threw 1.1 innings allowing just one hit and throwing just 19 pitches. In the seventh, the Gators went to closer Brandon Neely.

Neely allowed the bases to get loaded with one out in the eighth but got two outs to end the threat. Neely threw 37 pitches in the outing.

Florida will face the winner of the No. 11 Oklahoma State – Niagara game on Saturday at 7:00 PM.