Florida 8, Stetson 3

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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> The Hatters (35-27) were due back on the field almost immediately to play Notre Dame in an elimination game.<br> <br> ``We didn&#39;t want to do what we had to do today, which was play two games,&#39;&#39; Stetson coach Pete Dunn said. ``It&#39;s frustrating.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> 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&#39;t fare much better.<br> <br> 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&#39;s single-season record held by Ryan Shealy (2002) and Brad Wilkerson (1997, 1998).<br> <br> ``It&#39;s something great but, if you don&#39;t win, it means nothing,&#39;&#39; LaPorta said.<br> <br> LaPorta picked up another RBI on a fielder&#39;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&#39;s leg.<br> <br> Leclerc had another run-scoring single in the fifth, a bloop fly just behind shortstop that scored LaPorta from second.<br> <br> Ingoglia&#39;s six runs were the second most he allowed this season. He gave up eight against Georgia State in March.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> Horne was scheduled to start Friday against Stetson, but his arm got sore while warming up following the long delay. Horne&#39;s availability remains questionable.<br> <br> John Destefano led the Hatters with three hits, including a solo home run in the second inning that briefly tied the game at 2.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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