GULFPORT - Florida's representative from Cocoa not only defeated Tennessee 4-2 to stay alive at the Southeast Region Tournament, it also beat the clock.
Racing to beat an 11 p.m. curfew, Florida scored twice in the top of the seventh to clinch a semifinal berth.
Florida led 2-1 and was two outs from ending the game at 9:30 p.m. in the sixth; then Tennessee catcher Brad Warren then homered to tie the score just as a downpour began.
A 59-minute rain delay pushed the teams dangerously close to curfew, but Tyler Anderson came to Florida's rescue.
Anderson lined a bases-loaded single into right to score the winning runs in the seventh.
"I told the kids over and over, we have to come and play." Florida coach Keith Gordon said. "The other day (Monday, in a 12-0 loss to Georgia) we were flat. Tonight the boys showed up and had a lot of heart and attitude. When they play like that, they can play with anybody."
An error earlier in the inning by Tennessee, represented by Donelson National in Hermitage, opened the door for Florida, and was not the first time sloppy defense hurt.
Tennessee took a 1-0 lead in the first when Kendal Deep doubled and scored on a throwing error by Florida shortstop Eric Zarm.
Sky Beck led off the first for Florida by reaching on the first of four Tennessee errors. Jay Maxner then hit a 1-1 pitch to the rightfield wall, moving Beck to third.
A ground ball by Tyler Gordon scored the run.
Both starters settled down and dominated the middle innings. Tennessee's Kendal Deep went six, allowing six hits and striking out seven. Florida starter Brett Hardy and reliever Trevor Harmon combined for a two-hitter with five strikeouts.
Florida advanced to Thursday's semifinals, along with Georgia in Pool II. Florida could play South Carolina or Virginia depending on the outcome of today's games.
VIRGINIA 7, WEST VIRGINIA 3: Virginia did its part to keep semifinal hopes alive. Virginia scored five in the bottom of the first to overcome an early deficit. West Virginia took the lead in the first when Jared Taylor scored on a wild pitch. Owen Beightol's infield single drove in Corey Barker to tie the score at 1. Zach Mihalko ripped a two-run double with the bases loaded to cap the five-run rally.
West Virginia's Blake Barnette and Tommy Shamblin kept the game close with back-to-back homers in the third.
Virginia extended the lead in the third when George Moore hit a bases loaded double to score two.
A three way tie atop Pool I could occur if South Carolina defeats North Carolina at 4 p.m. today. The top seed would be the team with the fewest runs allowed per inning. The runner-up would be determined by head-to-head result between the remaining teams.
