Texas Tech stuns Florida in College World Series opener
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES 2018
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Texas Tech cleared the hurdle of winning a College World Series opener. It was a high one, too.
Gabe Holt hit a tiebreaking single in the fifth inning and drove in an insurance run in the ninth, leading the Red Raiders to a stunning 6-3 win over defending national champion Florida on Sunday night.
The Red Raiders (45-18) won their CWS opener for the first time in their three appearances, and they did it against the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and a first-round draft pick in starting pitcher Brady Singer.
"There are a lot of good teammates on this team, and they're thankful we're in the position we're in. They don't take it for granted," Tech coach Tim Tadlock said. "There aren't too many guys in there after we won tonight saying, 'Hey, we've got this figured out.'
"That's one game. Really proud of our guys of how we went out and competed. We were going to have to do that each inning to come out on the right side. And also have some good fortune."
Texas Tech pitchers limited the Gators to five hits but issued five walks. That was more than good enough against a Florida offense that has struggled for three straight games.
To have a chance to repeat as champions, the Gators (47-20) must win four straight to reach the best-ofthree finals. Only Oregon State in 2006 and South Carolina 2010 have lost their Omaha openers and made it to the finals since the tournament went to its current structure in 1999.
"There's no rewind button here. We lost. We've got to move forward," Gators coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "It's certainly doable. Ultimately, we're going to have to have some other guys step up."
Until Nelson Maldonado's two-run homer into the left-field bullpen pulled the Gators to 5-3 in the seventh, Florida's only run had come when Deacon Liput came home on a balk by Ryan Shetter.
Shetter (6-0), who pitched 4 1/3 innings of three-hit relief, earned the win.
Singer (12-2), the No. 18 overall draft pick by the Kansas City Royals, went 6 1/3 innings and allowed five runs — two earned — and nine hits.
