Your No. 1 Florida Gators dropped their first game of the season, losing to Florida State, 5-3 on Tuesday night in Tampa.
It was clear early that this was not going to be Florida's night. UF starter Tommy Toledo was removed after 2.1 innings, but 61 pitches and bases loaded. 2010 starter Alex Panteliodis came into the game and got what he needed, a ground ball. The problem was that it was scorched and right at the left-hander. Panteliodis couldn't get to the bag, while Austin Maddox's flip to first caromed off FSU's James Ramsey, allowing two runners to score. That was followed by a deep triple to left field, scoring another two and a RBI single.
Florida (7-1) was not hitting enough to comeback, as FSU's Scott Sitz allowed four hits and one run in five innings. It did not help that UF lost every break in the game, from the grounder off Panteliodis, Josh Adams getting thrown out at third after it appeared he beat the tag and had to run around the FSU shortstop standing in the baseline, and a few fantastic defensive plays by the Noles (8-0).
UF can take some positives from the game in that after Panteliodis was removed following 2.2 innings, UF allowed one hit in the last four innings as the top bullpen guys shut down FSU. But aside from a two-run 6th inning, UF never threatened on offense.
On a side note, as a Gator living in Tampa, I was very disappointed that very few Gator fans even realized Florida was in town. The crowd appeared to be about 75-25 for FSU. What is the point of having the Tampa Gator Club when they don't promote the University? (Try finding Tuesday's game or next Wednesday's game at USF on their website.) Gee, I would almost think they get involved only if they can figure out a way to make money off of it.