TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Eagles put end to Gators' season

ADVERTISEMENT

By MARK LONG

The Associated Press

Published: June 8, 2009

GAINESVILLE - Corky Palmer's retirement tour will continue at the College World Series.

Joey Archer drove in three runs, reliever Scott Copeland pitched three scoreless innings and Southern Mississippi beat Florida 7-6 on Sunday night to advance to the CWS for the first time in school history.

The Golden Eagles (40-24), the surprise of the NCAA Tournament, overcame a five-run deficit to win for the 12th time in 15 games. The hot streak started shortly after Palmer announced his retirement from coaching. Now, he'll get a storybook send-off in Omaha, Neb.

Archer had two huge hits to get them there. He had an RBI double in the fourth, then drove in two runs with a single in the three-run eighth off Billy Bullock (Riverview High).

UF (42-22) opened a 6-1 lead with solo home runs in the first two innings and four more in the third. Preston Tucker (Plant) hit a two-out liner to right, then Brandon McArthur (Armwood) skied one to left to make it 2-1.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT