Home 2011 Season Coverage2011 NCAA Tourney 2011 NCAA Regional Preview: Gainesville

2011 NCAA Regional Preview: Gainesville

by Brian Foley
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The 2011 Gainesville Regional sees the Florida Gators playing hosts to Miami (FL), Jacksonville, and Manhattan. 

Florida (45-16, 22-8 SEC)

Players to Watch
Mike Zunino (.367 BA, 15 HR, 59 RBI)
Josh Adams (.333 BA, 5 HR, 40 RBI
Daniel Pigott (.330 BA, 2 HR, 31 RBI)

Pitchers to Watch
Hudson Randall (9-3, 2.25 ERA)
Karsten Whitson (7-0, 2.53 ERA)

Why they will win: The Gators are the most talented team in the country on paper and with the deepest rotation in the country they should be able to roll through the regional.

Miami (FL) (36-21, 19-10 ACC)

Players to Watch
Zeke DeVoss (.335 BA, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 32-41 SB)
Nathan Melendres (.322 BA, 2 HR, 23 RBI)

Pitchers to Watch
Bryan Radziewski (9-2, 3.30 ERA)
Eric Whaley (7-5, 2.55 ERA)

Why they will win: The Hurricanes are due to get some revenge agains the Gators. This weekend would be a perfect time for it as the Canes have had their season ended by Florida in each of the last two seasons.

Jacksonville (36-22, 19-11 A-Sun)

Players to Watch
Adam Brett Walker (.416 BA, 13 HR, 72 RBI)
Daniel Gulbransen (.360 BA, 6 HR, 49 RBI)
Taylor Ratcliff (.338 BA, HR, 24 RBI)

Pitchers to Watch
Matthew Tomshaw (8-3, 3.78 ERA)
Steve Eagerton (8-0, 4.23 ERA)

Why they will win: I am reaching here but Jacksonville is 3-3 in their last six games and need to get on a massive run this weekend to compete with the Canes and Gators.

Manhattan (34-17, 20-2 MAAC)

Players to Watch
Mike McCann (.365 BA, 6 HR, 38 RBI)
Chad Salem (.340 BA, 9 HR, 50 RBI)
Mark Onorati (.337 BA, 6 HR, 26 RBI)

Pitchers to Watch
John Soldinger (10-2, 2.34 ERA)
Eric Luskis (7-3, 3.47 ERA)

Why they will win: They will need to play out of their minds to even have a chance in this regional. The chances of them advancing is five percent in my opinion.

Prediction
1. Florida
2. Miami (FL)
3. Jacksonville
4. Manhattan

 

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