OMAHA, NEB. — Florida vs. Vanderbilt isn't quite Yankees vs. Red
Sox, but for the descendants of two famous big leaguers, the stage
is just as significant.
Cody Dent, son of former Yankee great Bucky Dent, and Mike
Yastrzemski, grandson of Boston Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski,
will square off Monday at 7 p.m. as Florida faces Southeastern
Conference rival Vanderbilt in a winner's bracket game at the
College World Series.
The
two foes have battled four times this season with the Gators
winning three, including a 5-0 victory in the SEC Tournament
championship game.
The
Commodores (53-10) won their first game at the CWS, rallying
against North Carolina for a 7-3 victory.
Florida (51-17) downed Texas 8-4 with former Park Vista star Dent
in the middle of a pair of comebacks.
The
sophomore infielder worked a five-pitch walk in third and scored to
help erase a three-run deficit. In the fourth, Dent sliced a
two-out double — his first career extra-base hit — just inside the
left field chalk, driving in the go-ahead run.
The
solid game from UF's third baseman continued a postseason trend, as
Dent has been a crucial element in Florida's title quest, infusing
confidence in both himself and his teammates.
Before joining the lineup on a regular basis on May 20 — Dent had
just four starts in UF's first 54 games — the sophomore has slowly
seen his average climb toward the Mendoza line (.197) while playing
flawless defense.
"I
think it's been very reassuring (with Dent at third base)," Gators
coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "It's knowing that when the ball is on
the ground we've got a good chance of catching it and it's an
out.
"Offensively, he's been one of those unsung heroes. He's put
together some quality at-bats. He's found his way on base. He's
done everything and more of what I could have expected and asked
for."
Dent has concentrated on just progressing each day and finding a
comfort zone on a team full of stars.
"It's not easy sitting the bench, but you do your time," he said.
"The more you play you get more comfortable. It feels a lot better
to be playing everyday. You feel like you're helping out the team a
lot more."
During Florida's successful postseason run, Dent has hit .286 with
11 walks and scored six runs, consistently turning over the lineup
from the ninth spot.
"He's done exactly what we've all thought he could do. He's a good
defender. A solid hitter," senior second baseman Josh Adams said.
"We trust him. He works his butt off."
Dent said his dad has been a great influence and a guiding voice
during his early season hardships.
"He
always told me to, 'Keep working hard and your time will come,' "
Dent said. "Don't ever give up. You don't want to have any regrets,
all you can do is play your hardest."
