Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
UF’s Singer strong in return
Ace pitcher, Gators await FAU, Jacksonville winner
A weather delay was not going to rattle Florida Gators’ ace Brady Singer.
The junior right-hander from Eustis had waited three weeks to pitch in a game due to hamstring tightness. Another hour was not going to make a difference.
Once Singer took the mound, he showed little rust during Saturday night’s 3-2 win against Jacksonville University the NCAA Gainesville Reyielded gional.
The Florida Atlantic Owls were leading Jacksonville 12-7 late Sunday night with the winner to play the Gators either late Sunday or today for the regional title.
On Saturday, a dicey fifth inning the Dolphins their first run. Singer served up a solo home run to right fielder Cory Garrastazu in the seventh inning.
Otherwise, Singer, expected to
be a top-five pick during today’s draft, was in command during his first start since May 11 against Georgia.
“I never missed a start before this injury,” Singer said. “The last two weeks were hard. There was a little bit of rust. At the beginning it felt a little weird, but I think I settled down.”
During seven innings, Singer (11-1) allowed five hits, two earned runs, one walk and struck out six Dolphins, including three in the sixth inning.
“I thought he was very efficient,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “I think he kept his temperament and emotions in check. It’s his last start before the draft. I thought he performed great. He’s a fierce competitor.”
Meanwhile, UF’s hitters tagged senior right-hander Spencer Stockton for three solo home runs.
Stockton (8-6) entered the night having allowed just four home runs during 88 2 / 3 innings. He nearly yielded a fourth home run to UF, but Garrastazu robbed UF left fielder Austin Langworthy leaping to catch a blast over the right center-field fence.
Star third baseman Jonathan India got things started with a tape-measure home run over leftfield fence to open the fourth inning. A day after a six-RBI performance, right fielder Wil Dalton followed India’s 18th home run of the season with his own shot to left field.
A two-out home run by back-up catcher Jonah Girand in the top of the seventh inning proved the game-winner. Girand, a junior from Winter Park, has served mostly as the bullpen catcher this season. He hit his first home run of the season during Friday’s 13-5 win against Columbia.
“Now someone has to beat you twice,” O’Sullivan said. “Winning regionals is not easy. It’s certainly not over. You have to finish it off.”