Florida Knocks Fresno State Out of Series, 2-1

OMAHA —  John Burke won the battle of All-American pitchers Tuesday as Florida scored a 2-1 victory over Fresno State and Bobby Jones in an elimination game at the College World Series.

The loss sent Fresno State home with a 42-23 record. Florida (51-20) will play Louisiana State (53-18) in one of today’s semifinals.

LSU has won both its games here, including an 8-1 victory over Southeastern Conference rival Florida.

Burke (9-5) gave up seven hits in six innings. The right-hander, who has been bothered by tendinitis this season, struck out seven and walked one.

“I thought their pitcher, Burke, pitched an exceptionally good game, and I think our pitcher pitched well, too,” Fresno State Coach Bob Bennett said. “We only had a couple of opportunities.”

Said Burke: “I was able to relax today. My whole body felt better (than it did in the loss to LSU).”

Rob Bonanno pitched two innings before John Pricher got his 12th save with a scoreless ninth.

“It was a tough baseball game today,” Florida Coach Joe Arnold said. “We were kind of tuned in to what it would take to win a game like this. Bobby Jones pitched two games and he’s a great player, but we hung on.”

The Gators, who averaged fewer than three runs for Burke in his last 15 starts, scored twice in the top of the sixth when Brent Killen’s double followed singles by Ted Rich and Dave Majeski.

Jones, Collegiate Baseball’s player of the year, went the distance for the 18th time in 20 starts. He gave up only seven hits, walking one and striking out five as his record dropped to 16-2.

“I felt good and I felt stronger as the game went on,” Jones said.