Johnson gets nod for Gators' opener

OMAHA — Ray Tanner's starter was no surprise. Kevin O'Sullivan's was a little bit of one, even if it makes sense.

Opening schedule

At TD Ameritrade Park
Omaha, Neb.

Today

Stony Brook vs. UCLA, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Arizona vs. Florida St., 9 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday

Kent St. vs. Arkansas, 5 p.m., ESPN
South Carolina vs. Florida, 9 p.m., ESPN, 103.7 FM

South Carolina will start left-handed pitcher Michael Roth (7-1, 2.50 ERA), who beat Florida to win last year's national championship for the Gamecocks, in Saturday's College World Series game.

Florida will start Brian Johnson, who has beaten the Gamecocks twice this year, instead of ace Hudson Randall.

“I was wondering it they were going to throw Smoltz, Maddux or Glavine,” Tanner said, referring to the Atlanta pitchers during their glory days.

Although Randall was referred to as “our guy” last week by O'Sullivan, Johnson has pitched 15 innings against South Carolina this year and allowed only four runs. That includes a complete game against Tanner's team in the SEC Tournament.

“He needs to pitch,” O'Sullivan said. “We don't want to give him any more time off. He was going to pitch one of the first two games anyway.”

Florida would have thrown Johnson (8-4, 3.56) in the third game in the super regional against North Carolina State if he was needed, but the Gators won it in two. He last pitched in the regional against Georgia Tech.

Johnson, who has more at-bats than innings pitched in his CWS career, came into last year's CWS dealing with issues involving a concussion he suffered at the SEC Tournament.

O'Sullivan said Johnson cleared the concussion tests, but there were better options as starters because Johnson hadn't pitched in three weeks. He ended up pitching in relief in the final game of the season, a loss to the Gamecocks that earned them a second straight national title.

“I'm very excited for the opportunity,” Johnson said after taking batting practice Thursday. “I'm just going to go out and try to embrace it. I pitched a little more than an inning last year and threw as a freshman at Rosenblatt (Stadium) so I don't think it will feel too different.”

Johnson pitched 3⅓ innings as a freshman against FSU when Florida went two-and-out in the CWS.

Despite his strong performances against South Carolina, Johnson knows this is a different stage.

“I threw strikes against them and anyone who throws strikes has a chance to be successful,” he said. “But what's in the past is in the past. I don't think the past matters now. I have to put it behind me.”

Johnson said O'Sullivan told him earlier in the week he would be getting the ball first in Omaha.

“He sat me and Huddy (Randall) down and told us,” Johnson said. “He's the captain. It's his ship. I'm honored.”

And the junior MLB first-round draft pick thinks the rest will do him some good. He missed a start earlier in the year with a hamstring and has pitched well since.

 
“I threw Tuesday to hitters and felt fresh,” he said. “My arm felt really, really good. Like anybody, you get some rest your arm is going to feel good.”