Maybe these guys can play after all.
UF - which coaches picked to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference East - earned its biggest win of the season in Tuesday's 6-1 victory against No. 3 Florida State.
A McKethan Stadium-record crowd of 5,719 bore witness to a game that may signal the Gators' return to prominence.
Even UF football coach Urban Meyer and players Emmanuel Moody and Aaron Hernandez made appearances, one night before the football team opens spring practice.
"It's great to see our crowd come out and support us like that," UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "It fired up the guys, and hopefully we'll get more of those as we go along."
The Seminoles (16-2, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) entered the game on a four-game winning streak, while UF (15-3, 3-0 SEC) entered on a six-game tear.
Designated hitter Dustin Bamberg, who entered Tuesday night hitting just 1 for 11, blasted a solo homer to left field to give UF a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
"I was excited for him," left fielder Avery Barnes said. "It was a momentum swing for us and put us in the lead. It sparked us this evening."
The Gators' confidence in Bamberg never wavered despite his struggles. His early-season slump came on the heels of a very productive preseason, so his teammates and coaches expected him to break out eventually.
"We always knew he could hit," O'Sullivan said. "He was just struggling a little bit. He's got a chance to hit a lot. He's a natural hitter, and he got one."
The Gators' defense kept the Seminoles from building any offensive momentum as they turned double plays in both the third and fourth innings. The third-inning double play brought the crowd to its feet as first baseman Brandon McArthur fielded a grounder from Florida State center fielder Tyler Holt, stepped on first base and threw a strike to Cole Figueroa at second.
"I got into a couple of times letting the leadoff runner get on, but Josh (Adams) was able to make some plays," pitcher Stephen Locke said. "Getting double plays will get you out of jams. They're a pitcher's best friend."
Locke threw 5 1/3 innings, struck out three batters and allowed four hits. The Gators' pitching staff worked as a unit Tuesday. Locke got into a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, but Josh Edmondson was able to get UF out of the inning without giving up a run. Edmondson and Tony Davis got into the same predicaments in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively but the Gators escaped relatively unscathed, allowing only one run in the eighth.
"Our bullpen's been doing pretty well all year," O'Sullivan said. "I think we're starting to solidify some of these roles."
After UF's embarrassing 11-2 loss to Brown on March 8, Figueroa said it was time for the players to remember that "they played for UF."
The Gators haven't lost since, and their confidence appears to be growing.
"This is a big win for our team," Barnes said. "We had a rough day against Brown, and we've got that behind. We're working hard to get better everyday."
