GAINESVILLE - Following his team's quick departure from last year's College World Series, Florida baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan put together a long list of things he would do different if he made it back to Omaha.
The Gators (50-17) did just that and will meet Texas (49-17) at 7 p.m. today on ESPN in the first night game of this year's tournament.
The day after beating Mississippi State to claim the Gainesville Super Regional, O'Sullivan called a meeting on Monday and started checking off the items on his list.
"We went over all the extra stuff,'' he said. "Hotels, tickets, when we're leaving, getting prepared to get packed, just the detailed stuff that kind of crept up on us last year. I think what happened when we got out there, No. 1, we prepared ourselves the whole week that we were, I wouldn't say satisfied with the season, but that it was almost like the end of the road, that they were happy to get there.
"This year I hope they understand that we have one more step to take and it's going to be very difficult."
UF not only packed early, but left early, arriving in Omaha on Thursday for a full practice. A year ago, the Gators had a short practice the day before the opening game.
Florida has never won a College World Series. Here are five keys that could allow the Gators to finally celebrate a national title in baseball:
1. Focus on what's important.
Last year, players admit, the whole thing was a bit overwhelming. This time around, experience should make a major difference.
"You have practices, you have media stuff, you sign autographs, all types of stuff,'' said Gators All-American catcher Mike Zunino, a Mariner High School graduate. "It's really never ending. You are doing all kinds of stuff and I don't think we were prepared mentally last year for all of that.
"(Now that) we've been there before, we know the hype, we know everything that's been expected in the College World Series and we're ready to go there and to win.''
2. Stick to situational hitting.
The Gators are masters of manufacturing runs when they need them the most. The college game took the power out of its bats this season. Teams don't wait for the home run any more. And Florida is one of the best teams in the nation at being a more complete offense.
3. Pitcher-designated hitter Brian Johnson and first baseman-pitcher Austin Maddox need to rebound from injuries and produce.
Johnson (a concussion in the SEC tournament) and Maddox (a foot injury in the regional) are key hitters and pitchers. Realistically, no one can expect either to be sharp or even ready when the first pitch is thrown tonight.
But the CWS is a marathon that seems to last forever. Days drag on and each team searches for that extra lift. The Gators won without the duo. If either makes a solid contribution, look out. It could be just that little extra to get UF over the top.
4. Jump on teams quickly.
Florida has pounded opponents early in the NCAA tournament. The Gators averaged nine runs in the first three innings in the three-game regional sweep of Mississippi State. UF had four runs in the first two innings in the Super Regional finale. Teams just play more relaxed when things go well early.
5. Make good use of all those arms.
The Gators' pitching staff is deep and filled with future pro baseball players. UF started a pitcher taken in the ninth round in last week's Major League draft (Alex Panteliodis) in the Super Regional final. Greg Larson, a 29th rounder, relieved him. Nick Maronde, who went in the fourth round, replaced Larson and Tommy Toledo - an 11th round selection - finished out the game.
"I think this team is definitely built for the tournament, where you've got a lot of games in a row,'' sophomore Hudson Randall. "We've got at least four or five pitchers who could give us a good start on the mound and the bullpen is so deep we don't even have a set closer.''
That's where O'Sullivan has to do his best job - selecting which future pro with a 90 mph-plus fastball to put in what clutch situation.
"We trust one another and we're really deep and that's one of our best attributes I think,'' Randall said.
