The No. 1 Florida Gators rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, sending the No. 25 Cal State Fullerton Titans to a 7-3 defeat in the opener to the 2012 college baseball season.
After Titans starter Dylan Florio allowed three runs in six innings in his first start of the season, Florida loaded the bases with an infield single and two walks off reliever Jose Cardona. Koby Gauna entered in relief, but the Gators broke the 3-3 tie with a hit-by-pitch, sacrifice fly, and two singles to plate four runs.
Steven Rodriguez pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings for the win for Florida, allowing just one hit while striking out three batters. The Gators got home runs from Preston Tucker and Gushue Taylor as well.
The Titans managed four singles and three doubles in the game, with left fielder Austin Kingsolver the only one with a multi-hit game, with two singles.
Redshirt freshman Grahamm Wiest makes his collegiate debut on the mound for Fullerton on Saturday, opposed by Karston Whitson.
WP - Steven Rodriguez (1-0): 2 1/3 IP, 1 hit, 3 strikeouts
LP - Jose Gauna (0-1): 1/3 IP, 1 hit, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout
Sv - Greg Larson (1): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout