Singer’s 12 Ks help Gators win finals opener

OMAHA, NEB. » Brady Singer struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings, Jonathan India doubled in two runs, and Florida beat LSU, 4-3, in Game 1 of the College World Series finals June 26.

The Gators (51-19) need a win Tuesday or Wednesday to earn their first national championship in baseball.

Singer’s strikeout total was highest by a single pitcher in a CWS finals game. Singer (9-5) limited LSU (52-19) to three singles before Antoine Duplantis homered in the sixth. He left after Greg Deichmann doubled leading off the eighth.

Florida led, 3-0, after LSU starter Russell Reynolds (1-2) issued three straight walks in the fourth, with India driving in two runs on a ground-rule double.

Down, 4-2, and with fans clad in purple and gold chanting “L-S-U, L-S-U,” the Tigers threatened in the eighth. Josh Smith sent a ball into the rightcenter gap to drive in a run.

But he was thrown out trying for second by Nick Horvath, who entered as a pinch runner in the top of the eighth and stayed in the game as the center fielder.

Singer, who pitched a complete game in an 8-1 win over LSU in March, turned in his second strong performance at the CWS. The sophomore struck out nine and allowed one run in seven innings against Louisville last Tuesday. Monday marked the eighth straight game that Florida pitchers struck out 11 or more.

LSU — playing its fourth game in six days and with Eric Walker out with an injury — turned to the seldomused Reynolds to start. The fifth-year senior, wearing a close-cropped Mohawk under his cap and throwing an 85 mph fastball, gave the Tigers three solid innings in his first start since March 2015.

He got a groundout to start the fourth but then walked three straight. Coach Paul Mainieri called on left-hander Nick Bush, and Reynolds got a nice

NATI HARNIK — ASSOCIATED PRESS