The Southeast Conference, a league known for flexing its muscles, did so again in the first round of the 2011 College World Series when the three teams representing the league, Vanderbilt Commodores, Florida Gators and South Carolina Gamecocks, all won opening round games. Today, Florida (51-17) and Vanderbilt (53-10), two schools from the SEC East Division, are slated to battle in a winners bracket game of this double-elimination event at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaho, Neb (7 PM ET ESPN).
The Gators are listed as slight -135 CWS Odds favorites in this one with a combined score total (over/under) of 9-runs. Vandy backers will be getting +105 odds as moneyline underdogs. Run line prices show Florida at -1 1/2 getting +150 ($100 bet to win $150) while Vanderbilt at +1 1/2 giving -180 ($180 bet to win $100).
The game will be the fifth time these two teams have met this season.The Commodores opened the double-elimination event with a 7-3 victory over North Carolina, while the Gators rallied from a 3-0 deficit to down Texas, 8-4, on Saturday night.
The last meeting between the schools came out in Floridas favor, blanking the Commodores 5-0, to capture the 2011 SEC Tournament on May 29 at Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.
Getting the starting call for the Gators will be freshman right-hander Karsten Whitson, who at 8-0 with a 2.45 ERA will be making his 18th start of the year. Whitson faced Vanderbilt on May 15 but was not involved in the decision after giving up five hits and three runs with five strikeouts and one walk over 4.1 frames.
The Florida rookie will need to bring his best game because countering for the Commodores as starter will be SEC Pitcher of the Year Grayson Garvin, who happens to be the only Gator starter to collect a win against the Gators this season. Garvin owns a 13-1 record to go along with a 2.36 ERA.
Updated CWS Odds to win Bracket One
Florida -105
Vanderbilt -105
North Carolina -1000
Texas -1500
