OMAHA, Neb. — Needing a win to extend its season one more game, Florida is turning to its ace, the national player of the year.
Junior right-hander Brady Singer will start for the Gators against Arkansas in the College World Series semifinals Friday at TD Ameritrade Park. Florida must win to force a winner-take-all game Saturday, while the Razorbacks can advance to the national finals with a win either day.
Singer (12-2, 2.33 ERA) will throw on short rest. He threw 99 pitches in Florida's 6-3 loss to Texas Tech on Sunday, which sent the Gators into the loser's bracket. Florida defeated Texas and Texas Tech to advance to make it to a matchup with Arkansas.
"Right now we can't think about Saturday," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said following the Gators' 9-6 win over Texas Tech on Thursday. "We've got to take it one game at a time. We talked to Brady today and he's going to pitch tomorrow on four days' rest."
Singer, who was drafted 18th overall by the Kansas City Royals earlier this month and won the Dick Howser Trophy last week as the national player of the year, lost to Arkansas earlier this season at home when he allowed six runs in seven innings.
In two career starts against the Razorbacks, Singer has a 14.63 ERA. He will face a hot Arkansas team that has scored 80 runs in eight NCAA Tournament games, including 18 in two games at the College World Series.
"It's a deep lineup; just really can't have any let-ups," O'Sullivan said of Arkansas. "I think that's where Brady, he understands that and he's mature."
Florida (48-20) has had its pitching depth tested in Omaha. Friday's game will be the Gators' fourth in six days and they had to throw six pitchers Thursday against Texas Tech.
Notably, Florida has had to use its All-American closer, Michael Byrne, in each game so far, including Thursday when he threw 14 pitches to record the final four outs. Byrne has thrown 66 pitches over the past three games.
"I'm concerned about tomorrow," O'Sullivan said. "We've got Brady Singer on the mound. He's starting and we'll see how long he can go and see what the score is, and that will dictate who we use pitching-wise.
"And if we're fortunate enough to win tomorrow's game, we'll throw our best available guy on Saturday. It's really that simple. It's going to be one game at a time from here on out."
Arkansas plans to throw right-hander Isaiah Campbell (4-6, 4.19 ERA) on Friday against the Gators.
"He deserves to pitch," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "He pitched good in the super regional. He's the freshest arm. He's one of our best arms. It's his time."
The Razorbacks might throw right-hander Blaine Knight (13-0, 2.88 ERA) on Saturday, if needed, Van Horn said.
"He'd be just about where he normally is, five to six days out (from his last start)," Van Horn said Thursday. "You know, we'll see how it goes tomorrow and then figure it out."