Vickash Ramjit couldn't remember the last time he had five at-bats,
much less four hits. But Friday night in McKethan Stadium, the
Miami transfer and usual bench-warmer had a career night he soon
won't forget, propelling the No. 4 Gators to a 9-3 win over
Mississippi.
Ramjit, a redshirt sophomore, ripped two doubles, stole a base and
knocked in a run, all in just his third career start at Florida
(32-10, 15-4 Southeastern Conference).
"I'm awfully proud of him," coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "Those are
the things that bring a team together. When a guy doesn't get a lot
of opportunities, and then he does and gets a 4 for 5 night, it's a
special night."
"Our team is stacked," Ramjit said. "I'm just happy to contribute.
I don't mind playing this role. I'm just here to help the
team."
Before the game outfielder Tyler Thompson was scratched with back
spasms, opening the door for the first baseman to get the start
after O'Sullivan opted to shift Preston Tucker from first to right
field.
The consummate teammate, Ramjit took the opportunity in stride.
Frequently UF's notable cheerleader and the first guy out of the
dugout congratulating his buddies, on Friday night, it was his
fellow coaches and teammates raining praise his way.
"He works hard," O'Sullivan said. "He always brings a good attitude
to the ballpark. When you do that day-in and day-out good things
are bound to happen."
Catcher Mike Zunino-who drove in Ramjit in the fourth on a two-run
single to left-said the first baseman works his tail off and
deserved the spotlight.
"He's one of our vocal leaders," Zunino said. "Everyone is
extremely happy for him and glad he was able to do a good job
tonight."
Ramjit had four of Florida's 17 hits as the Gators pounded Rebels
(24-18, 9-10 SEC) pitching all night. UF plated at least one run in
seven of the eight innings it batted, including a monster solo home
run by Brian Johnson that drilled the top of the scoreboard in
right-center in the fifth.
Josh Adams (4 for 5, one RBI) and Austin Maddox (2 for 4, two RBIs)
also chipped in productive games for the Gators, as shortstop Nolan
Fontana was the only starter to fail to record a hit.
Hudson Randall (8-1, 1.75 ERA) made his 11th start for Florida,
tossing 7.1 innings and scattering three runs while matching a
season-high six strikeouts.
The lanky right-hander said his change-up was effective early, but
the sophomore struggled keeping the ball down at times. Randall
threw just one inning without allowing a base runner, twice
escaping potential jams with double plays.
Randall surrendered two solo homers-one in the first and another in
the fifth-but he buckled down and never let an inning spin out of
control.
"Sully always tells us to keep the bleeding to a minimum," Randall
said. "[The homeruns were] Two bad pitches on my part. I left some
pitches up, and they definitely made me pay for it. Luckily, I ate
up some more innings again and did a good job."
