Florida 8, Stetson 3

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Posted 7:39AM on Sunday, June 5, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Matt LaPorta drove in three runs, Bryan Ball pitched 6 2-3 solid innings, and Florida opened its NCAA regional Saturday with a 8-3 victory against state rival Stetson. The game was supposed to be played Friday night but was postponed after a three-hour weather delay. The Gators (41-20) came on strong in the late-morning start, scoring four times in the first three innings and advancing to face North Carolina Saturday night. The Hatters (35-27) were due back on the field almost immediately to play Notre Dame in an elimination game. ``We didn't want to do what we had to do today, which was play two games,'' Stetson coach Pete Dunn said. ``It's frustrating.'' Stetson hoped to get a better pitching performance against the Fighting Irish. Staff ace Chris Ingoglia gave up a season-high 11 hits and six earned runs in 5 2-3 innings. The bullpen didn't fare much better. LaPorta put the Gators ahead 2-1 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first. His 24th homer broke the school's single-season record held by Ryan Shealy (2002) and Brad Wilkerson (1997, 1998). ``It's something great but, if you don't win, it means nothing,'' LaPorta said. LaPorta picked up another RBI on a fielder's choice in the third, giving the Gators a 3-2 lead. Brian Leclerc followed three batters later with an RBI single off pitcher Chris Ingoglia's leg. Leclerc had another run-scoring single in the fifth, a bloop fly just behind shortstop that scored LaPorta from second. Ingoglia's six runs were the second most he allowed this season. He gave up eight against Georgia State in March. Brandon Berlett replaced Ingoglia in the sixth and walked LaPorta. Jon Sistrunk entered the game and hit Brian Jeroloman to load the bases with one out. Brandon McArthur greeted reliever Robbie Elsemiller with a stinging two-run single to right. Leclerc followed with an RBI single his third of the game that made it 8-2 before Elsemiller struck out Tordi to end the inning. That was plenty of support for Florida starter Bryan Ball, who filled in for ace Alan Horne. Ball allowed eight hits and two earned runs. Connor Falkenbach followed with 2 1-3 scoreless innings. Horne was scheduled to start Friday against Stetson, but his arm got sore while warming up following the long delay. Horne's availability remains questionable. John Destefano led the Hatters with three hits, including a solo home run in the second inning that briefly tied the game at 2. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)