Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- For the fourth year in a row, Florida's route to the College World Series will begin in Gainesville.

The NCAA announced Sunday that Florida is one of 16 teams that will play host to a four-team, double-elimination regional next weekend. The second-ranked Gators (42-18) will find out the other three teams that will be playing at McKethan Stadium when the NCAA announces the 64-team tournament field on Monday.

The NCAA also will announce the top seeds in the tournament on Monday. Should Florida win the regional, it would likely play host to a best-of-three Super Regional the following weekend for a berth in the CWS in Omaha, Neb.

"We’re extremely happy about hosting games in Gainesville," UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "It is great news for the program, our players, the University and the fans, and we appreciate the support."

The Gators, who are coming off a loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference tournament semifinals, are ranked No. 1 in the NCAA's latest RPI. Boyd's World has UF fifth in its strength of schedule rankings.

The Gators have won nine consecutive games in regional play and have played host to a regional the past three seasons. UF beat Bethune-Cookman and Miami (twice) in 2009, Bethune-Cookman, Miami and Florida Atlantic in 2010, and Manhattan and Miami (twice) last season.

HOOVER, Ala. -- A snoozer turned into a heart-stopper in the blink of an eye.

The Vanderbilt Commodores looked lifeless for six innings in Saturday's semifinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, but with the game on the line in the ninth inning, they sprang to life. Austin Maddox, the normally dependable closer for Florida, came apart with only three outs separating the Gators from a shot at a seventh SEC title.

Down one run in the ninth inning, the Commodores pulled off a squeeze bunt for the tying game-tying run, slapped a single off shortstop Nolan Fontana’s glove for another, and then for good measure stole home for insurance. By the time the head-spinning frame was over, Vanderbilt had all it needed to beat Florida, 8-6, and advance to the championship game against Mississippi State on Sunday.

Florida did its best to answer in the home half of the ninth, scoring three runs and loading the bases with two outs before Vanderbilt pulled its closer. Drew VerHagen came on and was able to get the final out to seal the Gators’ fate.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Former South Carolina forward Damontre Harris has decided to transfer to Florida, according to Dave Telep, ESPN's senior national basketball recruiting analyst.

The 6-foot-9 Harris chose the Gators over Kansas. He will have to sit out the 2012-2013 season per NCAA transfer rules and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Harris averaged 6.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game last season as a sophomore for the Gamecocks. He was named to the Southeastern Conference's All-Defensive team. Harris averaged 3.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game as a freshman.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida women's golf coach Jan Dowling has resigned, the school announced Saturday. She had just completed her third season with the Gators and led UF to a 12th-place finish in the NCAA championships.

Dowling spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Kent State and one season as an assistant at Duke before being hired at Florida. According to UF, Dowling told athletics director Jeremy Foley of her decision on Friday but did not tell her team until after the completion of Saturday's NCAA championships.

"My decision was extremely difficult," Dowling said in a statement. "However, I have to make the right choices for my personal life, too. I will cherish my time at Florida and wish nothing but the very best for the future of the program and the entire athletic association."