Wil Dalton drove in six runs, and overall No. 1 seed Florida began its quest for a second straight national championship with a 13-5 victory against Columbia in the NCAA baseball tournament Friday.
The Gators (43-17) entered regional play having lost six of their last seven games, including two in a row at the Southeastern Conference Tournament by a combined score of 19-2.
Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's team was in trouble again early against the Lions (20-29), but Jonathan India and Dalton hit consecutive two-run doubles in a six-run fourth inning to put the Gators ahead for good.