ORLANDO — Richie Martin doesn’t hit the home runs like his teammates. He doesn’t get sacrifice flies. He didn’t even reach the outfield in half of his at-bats on Tuesday.
Instead, the freshman shortstop put his speed on display in Florida’s 5-3 win against UCF at Jay Bergman Field.
Martin had a career-high three base knocks.
His first two singles were infield hits between third and short.
His legs did the rest.
After a one-out infield single in the top of the first, Martin advanced to third base on a bouncing ground ball into left field off the bat of Casey Turgeon.
“I’ve said it before: He’s disruptive,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said of Martin. “He’s instinctual on the base paths. He’s aggressive. He’s off to a good start.”
Martin joins leadoff man Harrison Bader in a speedy duo at the top of Florida’s lineup.
The two freshmen give the Gators options at the top of the order.
The duo went 5 for 10 at the plate against the Knights.
“They are both really good freshmen,” Zack Powers said. “Getting on base is their job as the one and two hole, so they are doing a good job of that so far.”
Martin and Powers are tied with a team-leading six hits.
The Seattle Mariners selected Martin this past summer in the 38th round of the MLB Draft.
He scored 25 runs and stole 21 bases during his senior year at Brandon Bloomingdale High.
Through four games, he leads the Gators with two stolen bases.
He stood out in offseason scrimmages by routinely turning singles into extra-base hits.
Martin follows a tradition of talented Florida shortstops. From David Eckstein to Nolan Fontana, the names are hard to miss.
Martin met Fontana on his recruiting visit last year. They have different styles at the plate, but the two have slick gloves at short.
Martin has recovered since committing an error on the second fielding chance of his college career in Friday’s 4-3 loss to Duke. He has made plays reminiscent of Fontana in the hole to his left and his right.
After Fontana helped Turgeon develop during his first season, the second baseman has done the same for Martin.
Fontana left to pursue a career with the Houston Astros. Florida didn’t have another shortstop in its 2012 recruiting class. Senior Cody Dent was the only remaining player on the roster with any college experience at shortstop. Dent now starts in center field.
The starting job at shortstop seemed like Martin’s to lose.
“I didn’t know when I first came on campus,” Martin said.
“I obviously had to earn it. Yeah, it was a little pressure. I was kind of nervous. I try to not put extra pressure on myself. I just try to go out and have fun and do what I can for the team.”
Martin’s coaches told him that with his speed, hitting the ball in the air is useless. He has just one fly out this season.
He used the advice and his speed again on Tuesday night.
“That’s what got me here,” Martin said. “It’s pretty important. That’s what I try to utilize and take advantage of.”
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Freshman shortstop Richie Martin attempts to steal third base during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium. Martin left Florida's 6-3 series-clinching win against Miami on Sunday after beating hit by a pitch in the hand.
