College Roundup: Gators’ Recruiting Class Pays Off

HOW THE TOP 25 FARED

(1) Florida: won, 4-0, vs. Central Florida

(2) Texas A&M: off

(3) Oregon State: off

(4) Louisville: won, 9-5, vs. Morehead State

(5) Vanderbilt: off

(6) Miami: won, 6-2, vs. Florida Gulf Coast

(7) Louisiana State: won, 9-4, at Nicholls State

(8) Virginia: off

(9) Texas Christian: off

(10) California: off

(11) Oregon: off

(12) North Carolina: won, 11-6, vs. Winthrop

(13) Mississippi: won, 9-7, vs. Memphis

(14) UCLA: off

(15) Florida State: won, 11-10, vs. Villanova in 14 innings

(16) Louisiana-Lafayette: lost, 7-2, at McNeese State

(17) Arkansas: lost, 3-2, vs. Louisiana Tech

(18) North Carolina State: won, 5-2, vs. UNC-Wilmington

(19) Coastal Carolina: lost, 7-4, at College of Charleston

(20) Michigan: won, 6-5, at San Jose State

(21) Houston: off

(22) Oklahoma State: won, 3-2, vs. Incarnate Word

(23) Georgia Tech: off

(24) Mississippi State: off

(25) East Carolina: lost, 8-7, vs. Elon in 10 innings

Florida landed the second-ranked recruiting class this fall, with righthanders Jackson Kowar and Brady Singer highlighting the impressive haul. For seven innings Wednesday, they combined to shut out Central Florida, and the top-ranked Gators rolled to a 4-0 victory at McKethan Stadium.

Kowar, the Tigers’ 40th-round pick last year, made his first career start and did not disappoint. The freshman from Charlotte struck out eight batters in five scoreless innings and held UCF to three hits. Kowar threw his fastball 92-96 mph and kept hitters off balance with his excellent changeup. Singer, the Blue Jays’ second-round pick last year, followed out of the bullpen with three strikeouts in two scoreless innings of his own.

“That’s about as good a pitching performance from freshmen that we’ve ever had here,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “It’s really, really impressive. They commanded the strike zone and their secondary pitches were on point.”

Sophomores Dalton Guthrie and Mike Rivera each homered to supply the offense, as the Gators (9-1) swept their home-and-home midweek series against the Knights (6-4).

Further south in Florida, No. 6 Miami defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 6-2, as catcher Zack Collins hit his first two home runs of the season to power the Hurricanes (6-2) to victory. It was the fourth career multi-homer game for the Preseason All-American, who hit 15 home runs last season.

Wednesday also produced a few Top 25 upsets. Louisiana Tech defeated Arkansas, 3-2, for its second straight midweek win against a ranked opponent. The Bulldogs (6-2) also defeated Louisiana-Lafayette last week. In both midweek wins, Louisiana Tech threw Opening Day starter Tyler Clancy (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K), who improved to 3-0, 1.00 Wednesday.

Louisiana-Lafayette, Clancy’s victim last week, lost again in midweek action, falling, 7-2, at McNeese State. Before the game, McNeese State retired the numbers of former players Terry Burrows, Ray Fontenot and Charlie Philips. The ceremony also included ULL coach Tony Robichaux, who played at McNeese State and began his head coaching career with his alma mater. During his eight years with the Cowboys, he coached both Burrows and Philips.