Wilkerson Homers, Saves Florida Win

Brad Wilkerson celebrated his 19th birthday with a seventh-inning grand slam, then moved to the mound to earn his sixth save of the season in Florida’s 5-2 victory over Florida State in a first-round game of the College World Series.

Wilkerson’s ninth homer gave the second-seeded Gators (49-16) their 25th come-from-behind win this season and third victory over the Seminoles in four meetings.

Florida State starter Randy Choate (15-4) held the Gators to four hits in 6 2/3 innings, but walked two batters with two outs in the seventh, leading, 2-1.

Reliever Chuck Howell walked Mark Ellis to load the bases. Freshman Zach Diaz came in and gave up Wilkerson’s homer.

“I think pitching is more comfortable,” he said when asked if it was easier to hit with the bases loaded or pitch in the same situation. “Hitting is harder. I feel more comfortable as a pitcher.”

Florida advanced to a second-round game Monday against Louisiana State, which the Gators beat four times during the season.

Florida State (51-16), looking for a first College World Series title in its 15th trip to Omaha, will have to come back in an elimination game Monday against Wichita State.

“We were very, very blessed to get a big hit at the right time,” said Florida Coach Andy Lopez, who led Pepperdine to the World Series title in 1992.

Louisiana State 9, Wichita State 8--The Tigers’ Jason Williams hit the first pitch of the game out of the park, and light-hitting Tim Lanier’s grand slam and five RBIs helped them to a 7-0 lead in the first three innings against the Shockers (54-10).

Kevin Shipp picked up his first save of the year, getting a strikeout and fly out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

Lanier came to the tournament hitting .249 with only four homers on a team noted for its power. The sixth-seeded Tigers (49-15) had 125 homers and scored 46 runs in their last two wins in the regionals.

LSU All-American Eddie Yarnell (10-1) pitched the first 5 2/3 innings and gave up four runs.