OMAHA, Neb. -- Florida devised a winning strategy on Wednesday new to TD Ameritrade Park. Just don't expect to see it again at this College World Series.
The Gators hit four home runs in a 10-2 rout of Miami. Two balls cleared the fence a few feet left of dead-center field -- the first to reach that area in 213 college games at this cavernous stadium since it opened in 2011.
"I don't think that can be your approach in this ballpark," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "We elevated the ball on a day when the wind was blowing out."
Still, so much for an offensive hangover after the Gators' 1-0 loss to Virginia on Monday.
The question now: Can Florida, which scored 98 runs in a 10-game winning streak before it ran into the Cavaliers' Brandon Waddell and Josh Sborz, maintain some semblance of the resurgent offense?
Because Virginia is waiting Friday (3 p.m. ET, ESPNU).
The Cavaliers plan to go back to Connor Jones, who threw 96 pitches Saturday in the CWS opener, or try the ultimate wild card -- left-hander Nathan Kirby, the staff ace who has not pitched since April because of a strained lat muscle.
After eliminating rival Miami from the postseason for the fourth time in seven years, Florida needs wins Friday and Saturday over the Cavs to reach the best-of-three championship series. Virginia must win once.
The offensive effort of Wednesday illustrated that the Gators can do it.
"I knew we were totally capable of doing this," said Florida third baseman Josh Tobias, the only starter remaining from the Gators' 2012 CWS club. "I've seen these guys do that before."
Harrison Bader led off the game against Miami's Enrique Sosa with a drive over the center-field wall. Even with the rare weather conditions -- warm and humid with a breeze out of the north -- a home run to the deepest part of the park stunned spectators.
Buddy Reed followed four batters later with a two-run shot to right field.
By the time Richie Martin homered to right in the sixth inning and Peter Alonso replicated Bader's shot to center, the Gators made history. No team in five years at this stadium had hit even three home runs in a game.
Florida on Wednesday out-slugged the entire eight-team fields from each of the past two years, when just three homers were hit in each tournament -- which lasted 14 and 16 games, respectively.
The home runs by Alonso (421 feet), Bader (414 feet) and Reed (412 feet) were measured by ESPN as the three longest in the CWS in five years here.
Why the explosion?
"We're at a stage now where we're fighting for our lives," Bader said.
The Gators are accustomed to the feeling. They won four straight last month at the SEC tournament after an opening-game loss to Arkansas. Included in the four-day run were wins over the Razorbacks, LSU and Vanderbilt, all of which made it to Omaha.
Five times, Florida won three-game SEC series after losing the opener.
"We're a resilient bunch," Tobias said. "We don't dwell on a loss. That's the best thing we do as a team."
It served the Gators well Wednesday.
"I thought we were very relaxed," O'Sullivan said, "thought we came out with a purpose."
With its offense re-engaged, Florida's greatest luxury in preparing for Virginia might be its pitching. The Gators' three starters in Omaha, Logan Shore, A.J. Puk and Alex Faedo, have thrown no more than 5 1/3 innings. Faedo went five on Wednesday, allowing two runs on three hits.
Seven relievers have worked for Florida, none more than once, and none has thrown more than 29 pitches. So yes, they're all available against Virginia, with the sophomore Shore expected to get a second CWS start.
Florida's bullpen is not just deep; it's good. The Gators have held 44 of 47 leads after six innings and 46 of 47 when ahead after eight.
And sophomore right-hander Dane Dunning, who started 14 games this season, has not pitched in Omaha.
The Cavaliers have thrown just three pitchers in two games, but they can't match Florida's depth, especially with questions about Kirby's effectiveness and endurance. If the Gators win and force a Saturday rematch, they might get the edge -- despite playing an additional game -- because of pitching depth.
And because of the threat of another offensive outburst. Florida has scored 10 runs or more in four of its past five games.
The four-homer game, though, was likely just an anomaly. Bader said the Gators approached Wednesday night like every pitch, every inning could lead to the end of their season.
The focus was evident, starting with his big swing on the game's fourth pitch.
"We're just going to carry that momentum," Bader said, "into Friday against Virginia."