Its official, the Road to Omaha runs through the state of Florida.

The first annual Florida Four event was held yesterday, featuring the talents of Florida State University, the University of Florida, the University of Miami (FL), and the University of South Florida.

The event, which took place at the spring training home of the New York Yankees, kicked off with #10 Miami (6-1) cruising to a 15-2 win over South Florida (1-6).  The Canes wasted no time in lighting up the scoreboard either.  Posting multiple runs if 4-of-the-first-5 innings, four Hurricanes finished the game posting multiple RBIs including Michael Broad who went 2-for-4 with four RBIs.

Miami was no slouch on the mound, either.  Freshman left-hander Steven Ewing allowed just two runs off six hits in 6 1/3 innings during his first career start while walking one and striking out six.

The Bulls couldn't manage to get ahead in this game, with Ryan Lockwood being the lone batter with multiple hits as he went 2-for-4 and one run scored. The Bulls' starter Teddy Kaufman also suffered his first loss of the season as he allowed three earned runs in just three innings of work.  In total USF wound up sending six different pitchers to the mound, all the same result.

The Canes next game will be against the Florida Marlins in an exhibition contest on Wednesday.

The second game of the Florida Four featured two Top 5 teams in the country: #3 Florida State (7-0) and #5 Florida (5-1).

Both teams entered the contest undefeated and putting together impressive games both on the mound and on offense.  In the end, though, Florida State only needed the bottom of the first inning to put up enough runs to beat Florida as they cruised to a 10-5 win while holding off a 9th inning rally.

With the 10 runs and 13 hits the Seminoles have now posted double-digit hits and runs in all seven games this year.  But the Noles are more than just solid, power hitters.  They also have a bullpen that could carry them deep in the NCAA Tournament and another possible trip to Omaha.

Geoff Parker (1-0) had a great day during his second start as he allowed just one run on six hits during 5 1/3 innings.  He also struck out three and didn't allow a single walk.

Wasting no time to get on the scoreboard, the Seminoles blasted the Gators for seven runs in the bottom of the 1st inning.  The first five batters reached on three singles and two hit-by-pitches.  The first run was scored with bases loaded by Mike McGee as UF starter Anthony DeSclafani hit McGee on the top of his helmet.  Stuart Tapley brought two more with a single up the middle which ended the evening for DeSclafani.

Sherman Johnson loaded the bases again off UF reliever Hudson Randall.  Rafael Lopez followed a groundball double play by sending the ball deep into the right center gap allowing Tapley to score.  Freshman Jason Boyd then scored 2 RBIs as he got his first collegiate home run and put the Noles up 7-0.

Florida State held a 10-1 advantage heading into the top of the 9th inning but reliever Andrew Durden gave up back-to-back singles to start the inning.  He followed that up with consecutive strikeouts and seemed to have things wrapped up.  Then the flood gates creeped open just a little as UF strung together four-straight RBI singles.  After the bases were loaded once more, head coach Mike Martin brought in Daniel Bennett to close out the game and preserve the victory.

If this is any indication on how the season series with UF will go, the next three games could be very exciting to watch indeed.

Florida State will play the defending MLB champion Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow at 7:05pm at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater, FL.