For the third straight year, Florida ended Miami's season, but on Sunday, it was Preston Tucker — not errors and miscues — that did in the Hurricanes.
In a must-win game for UM, UF's right fielder shattered all hopes of a do-or-die game on Monday with a majestic first-inning three-run homer over the foul pole in right. Tucker ambushed a first-pitch fastball for his 13th long ball of the year, propelling the Gators to an 11-4 victory, a 3-0 weekend and a school-record third straight appearance in the Super Regionals.
"He knew going into the weekend that without Austin [Maddox] and Brian [Johnson] he needed to step up," UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "He did that. I'm awfully proud of the way he handled that and was able to deliver."
The junior was named the Gainesville Regional MVP after murdering the ball all weekend, collecting six extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in three games.
Tucker unloaded a trio of bombs during the regional, tying a school-record for postseason round-trippers.
"I'm just barreling balls up," he said. "Whenever I see an opportunity, I'm trying to drive in runs."
As a freshman two years ago, Tucker was also named regional MVP after battering Miami's pitching for nine hits, including a pair of dingers and six RBIs.
"He's an outstanding player, goodness gracious," UM coach Jim Morris said. "He always plays good against us. I don't know what he's hitting against us, but it seems like .900 or something."
Tucker (2 for 4, five RBIs) was at the center of Florida's eight run explosion in the third inning. The Gators sent 13 to the plate, tallying six hits including run-scoring knocks from Tyler Thompson (1 for 5, two RBIs), Daniel Pigott (1 for 5, one RBI), Vickash Ramjit (3 for 4, one RBI) and Tucker.
Florida pounded UM's E.J. Encinosa, as the sophomore looked nothing like the powerful right-hander that limited the Gators to just a single run in seven innings in a 1-0 loss exactly three months ago.
Miami's starter struggled with his command, walking a pair and drilling two batters in just 2.1 rough innings.
But Florida starter Alex Panteliodis frustrated Miami's hitters, dominating the ‘Canes for a second straight start. Panteliodis tossed a season-high 6.2 innings, punching out four while scattering five hits.
"He can really pitch," Morris said. "He's really talented. He did a super job."
The lefty flashed his old pinpoint control, finishing the afternoon with just a single blemish on his stat-line — a solo homer to right in the seventh.
Panteliodis' only real trouble on the day was in the first when he pitched around a single and hit batsman. Just like the SEC Tourney, the junior buckled down and escaped the jam with a tailor-made 6-4-3 double play.
After laboring with consistency earlier this season, Panteliodis has pitched 12 innings in the postseason, allowing only one run.
In his last three starts against the Hurricanes, the lefty is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 24-to-3.
"Something sparks me against them," Panteliodis said. "I don't really like those guys. They always come out there and boost my ego. I just go out there and give it all I've got."
Hard-throwing right-hander Anthony DeSclafani relieved Panteliodis, but the junior was shelled for three runs in the eighth without recording an out.
After years where Miami frequently ruined Florida's season, the Gators have returned the favor. UF has eliminated UM at home the past three seasons, sweeping all six meetings.
"They're getting even right now," Morris said.
