The Florida Gators begin their 2010 baseball season with a running start, as they beat South Florida by four runs on Friday evening. The Gators had four fresh players in the lineup including shortstop, Nolan Fontana, and catcher, Mike Zunino.

The junior out of Jacksonville, Florida, Josh Adams, seemed to be the star player in the season opener for both teams in the Mckethan Stadium in front of over 3,300 fans. Adams was 3-3 with 4 RBI, along with a double and two home runs. The comeback pitcher, Tommy Toledo, who did not play in the 2009 season, had four strikeouts and long with three scattered hits. He only allowed one unearned run in 3.1 innings Friday night. Freshman, Austin Maddox, went 2 for 4 in the opener. But what was more impressive was his first at bat, which was a two-run homer.

Coach Kevin O’Sullivan commented on the comeback of Toledo saying, “It was good to get Tommy back after 16 months. I thought he did really well considering this was the first game of the year, and he had to deal with the jitters. He will be better his next time out. The damage that was done was his own doing with the walks and the hit batters, but it was great to see him out there.” Josh Adams was quoted saying by Gatorzone.com, “We’re getting used to playing with each other. The first homer felt good and I had goose bumps running around the bases.”

The Gators took an early lead as two home runs by Adams and Maddox enabled them to take an early 4-0 lead. The senior, Matt den Dekker, faced the USF junior pitcher, Fontanez, by singling into right center field before Adams knocked one out of the park into the left field bleachers. Although, the Bulls were not done yet as USF had the bases loaded and down by two with Toledo on the mound for the Gators. Despite the possible comeback, the Gators stuck it out and lead by 4 to close the game out.

The Gators are looking forward to a very successful season as they start the long road ahead with a ‘W’ in the season opener. Junior, Josh Adams, seemed as if he was the impact player of the game when he went 3-3 at the plate along with 4 RBI. GSN hit the nail on the head as our staff predicted the score of 6-2 in the victory over the Bulls in the pre-game analysis. GSN would like to wish the Gators good luck in the 2010 season which will all lead to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska played this Summer.

(Information collected from Gatorzone.com)
By: Justin Rectenwald