Faced with elimination from the 2010 NCAA College World Series and the end of a stellar season, No. 3 Florida Gators baseball (47-17) lost their second-straight game for only the third time all year, falling 8-5 to the unranked Florida State Seminoles (48-19) on Monday evening at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE.

The Gators entered the series hoping to earn their 48th win of the season – one which would tie the program high (2005) – but could not come away with a victory after first falling to UCLA 11-3 on Saturday.

Freshman starter Hudson Randall (8-4) was blasted by the Seminoles for four earned runs in 2.2 innings including a solo shot by outfielder Tyler Holt (3-4, two RBI, three runs) to lead-off the first inning and a three-run homer by outfielder/pitcher Mike McGee (2-4, four RBI, two runs) in the bottom of the third. Freshman Brian Johnson, in relief, fared a little better but still allowed two earned runs in 3.1 innings. Sophomore Anthony DeSclafani and junior Kevin Chapman each gave up an earned run of their own before senior Greg Larson threw the final out.

For the Seminoles, Brian Busch (6-2) only allowed two earned runs in 5.1 innings. Geoff Parker tossed 2.1 innings of shutout relief before Daniel Bennett entered for an attempt to close out the game. However, Bennett would give up a three-RBI double to sophomore first baseman Preston Tucker (1-5) in the top of the ninth before being pulled for McGee (S13) who forced freshman catcher Mike Zunino to line into an infield double play to end the game.

Freshman shortstop Nolan Fontana (2-4, two runs), freshman designated hitter Austin Maddox (2-5, RBI) and senior outfielder Jonathan Pigott (2-4, RBI, run) led the way for Florida offensively, but the team was unable to put a rally together until it was too late.

FSU defeated UF for the fourth time in five meetings this season; the Seminoles are also responsible for ending the Gators’ season twice in the past three years after knocking the 2008 team out of the NCAA Tournament in the Tallahassee Regional.

Photo Credit: Daniel J. Muprhy/ Omaha World-Herald

Tags: Anthony DeSclafani, Austin Maddox, baseball, Brian Busch, Brian Johnson, College World Series, Daniel Bennett, Florida State Seminoles, Geoff Parker, Greg Larson, Hudson Randall, Jonathan Pigott, Kevin Chapman, Mike McGee, Mike Zunino, NCAA, NCAA Tournament, Nolan Fontana, Preston Tucker, Rosenblatt Stadium, Tyler Holt

Taking part in the inaugural Florida Four collegiate baseball tournament at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL, No. 5/6 Florida Gators baseball (5-1) was looking for their first win of the season against the rival No. 6/3 Florida State Seminoles (7-0). Unfortunately for the Gators, a seven-run first inning by the Seminoles put them out of it early; Florida State would cruise to a 10-5 victory in the first of four regular-season games between the teams that will run into conference play (Mar. 16, Mar. 30, April 13).

Sophomore starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (0-1) was shelled for five earned runs on three hits in the bottom of the first; he was removed before Florida even recorded an out. Freshman Hudson Randall replaced him, giving up two more earned runs. FSU did not leave a single player on base in the first, getting their final out after first baseman Jayce Boyd smacked a two-run home run.

The Gators got on board for the first time in the third inning as freshman catcher Mike Zunio smacked a solo homer to center field. UF would not score again until the top of the ninth, when they rallied for four runs off of relief pitcher Andrew Durden.

Geoff Parker (1-0) picked up the win for the Seminoles by only giving up six hits and one earned run in 5.1 innings.

Florida heads down to Coral Gables, FL, for a three-game series against the in-state rival No. 16/11 Miami Hurricanes beginning Fri., Mar. 5 at 7 p.m.

Tags: Andrew Durden, Anthony DeSclafani, baseball, Florida Four, Florida State Seminoles, Geoff Parker, George M. Steinbrenner Field, Hudson Randall, Jayce Boyd, Mike Zunio