Singer returns, No. 1 seed Florida edges Jacksonville 3-2

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Brady Singer allowed two runs in seven solid innings, returning after three weeks off, and overall No. 1 seed and defending national champion Florida edged Jacksonville 3-2 in the NCAA baseball tournament Saturday night.

Singer (11-1) missed two starts while recovering from a strained left hamstring, but looked a lot like a guy projected to be a top-five draft pick Monday. The junior right-hander gave up five hits, plunked two, walked one and struck out six.

All of his support came on long balls, something rare for Jacksonville's Spencer Stockton (8-6). Stockton entered the Gainesville Regional having given up four home runs in 85 2/3 innings, but he allowed three — nearly four — to the Gators (44-17).

Jonathan India and Wil Dalton crushed consecutive homers in the fourth. Jonah Girand's solo shot in the seventh gave Florida some cushion, which was needed after Franco Guardascione homered for Jacksonville in the bottom of the inning.

Austin Langworthy nearly had another long ball for Gators, but Cory Garrastazu climbed the right-center-field fence and kept the ball from landing in the bullpen.

The Dolphins (40-20) had a great chance to tie the game in the eighth off closer Michael Byrne, but stranded Ruben Someillan after a leadoff triple. Byrne escaped the jam and then pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save.

Jacksonville will play Florida Atlantic in an elimination game Sunday. The winner has to beat Florida twice to win the regional.