When Florida Gators outfielder Preston Tucker turned down a chance to sign with the Colorado Rockies in 2011, he went back to school and reinforced one of the top teams in the nation. Tucker joined catcher Mike Zunino, the top position prospect in the 2012 MLB Draft, and pitchers Brian Johnson and Hudson Randall to form the core of a team that played its way to being the No. 1 national seed in the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Tucker is hitting .312/.395/.573 with 14 home runs and 44 RBI through 60 games. He will lead the Gainesville regional's No. 1-seeded Gators against the No. 4-seede Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Friday night.
The Wildcats made the tournament by winning the MEAC Tournament, but the offense isn't quite as powerful as it has been in years past. Florida's pitching gives a big edge to the Gators.
The winner of this game faces Georgia Tech while the lose goes up against the College of Charleston.
Game time: 5:00 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN3
For a complete 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket, click here.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For a complete bracket, visit NCAA.com.