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It wasn't the flashiest or highest-scoring game you'll ever see, but the upshot is the important thing: Florida beat Florida Atlantic, 2-1, on Sunday to advance to what we now know will be the Gainesville Super Regional. Whether or not their hated rivals from Tallahassee will visit for that best-of-three series won't be decided until Monday.
Saying there was a hero or set of heroes in Sunday's game might be something of a stretch. There were a few solid performances. Alex Faedo allowed one run on three hits and a walk over six innings, striking out six along the way. JJ Schwarz drove in the game-winning run with a single in the sixth inning. Josh Tobias was the only Florida player with more than one hit; he went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base.
Regardless of the opponent, Florida will be going for its fourth trip to Omaha in six seasons. Unlike fellow SEC East powers Vanderbilt and (most years) South Carolina, the Gators have yet to claim a baseball national championship. On Sunday, Florida made tangible progress toward changing that distinction.