For the past six months, Tyler Thompson has coped with more injuries than a Spanish bullfighter.
But finally, as the No. 1 Gators are just two wins away from a second straight College World Series appearance, the junior outfielder is completely healthy.
“It’s nice to be back,” Thompson said. “I’ve just had some bad luck this year.”
During Florida’s 2011 campaign, Thompson has been plagued by a torn hamstring, a hand infection, a groin injury and back spasms. After starting 39 games as a sophomore, Florida’s junior has struggled to stay on the field this season.
Yet just like a year ago, Thompson has gotten hot — but mainly healthy — at the right time.
“I’m coming off a [string] of minor injuries, and I’m trying to get into a flow, just get my timing back,” he said. “Sitting on the bench and not seeing live pitching is tough.”
During UF’s NCAA Tournament run in 2010, Thompson was a force. The free-swinging lefty knocked four homers — three in a single regional contest — and led the team with a .529 average as Florida sprinted to the CWS.
After sitting out most of UF’s dominating season this year, Thompson has had a renaissance postseason again. Fortunately for the No. 2 national seed, his resurgence has coincided with injuries to stalwarts Brian Johnson and Austin Maddox.
The platoon outfielder said he didn’t feel totally healthy until just two weeks ago, but the junior has returned to the diamond as a valuable commodity in Johnson and Maddox’s absence.
In four postseason starts — three during Florida’s weekend sweep of the Gainesville Regional — Thompson is hitting .438 with a pair of doubles and four RBIs. Thompson, along with Daniel Pigott and Vickash Ramjit, is wreaking havoc at the bottom of the lineup.
“It just gives us more depth,” catcher Mike Zunino said. “The bottom of the order has been doing great since the SEC Tournament, and they’ve picked up some slack for some guys that hadn’t been swinging too good at the top of the order.”
Although Thompson didn’t start his first game until March 8 and later went a month between starts, the streaky hitter said he is finally ready to make an impact.
“I’m doing what I can,” Thompson said. “My dad [former major leaguer Robby Thompson] said, ‘Your swing looks good, but try and stay healthy.’”
Florida hosts Mississippi State on Friday at noon in Game 1 of the Gainesville Super Regional.
Johnson and Maddox update:
Zunino said Johnson participated in the team workout on Monday and looked good.
The sophomore left-hander is listed as one of two possible starting options for Sunday’s “if necessary” Game 3 against the Bulldogs.
“To see him back on the field definitely helps,” Zunino said. “It made everyone else relax.”
Maddox, who strained his foot attempting to catch a foul popup in Friday’s blowout over Manhattan, is still listed as day-to-day. Zunino was non-committal when asked if Maddox practiced Monday.
