Gainesville, FL (U-WIRE) -- The promised land of Nebraska waits only six wins from Gainesville.

The sixth-ranked UF baseball team has talked of breaking the season down into different stages since January.

After a disappointing loss in Coral Gables last year, in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament, the Gators hope to have an opportunity to finally break through to the next level.

In college baseball, that next level awaits in Omaha, Neb., in the College World Series.

UF coach Pat McMahon and his four senior players hope to extend their fourth season for another month.

The Gators will face McMahon's alma mater, Stetson (35-26), at 8 p.m. on Friday in the opening game of the regional tournament for each team. The winner will face the victor of the Notre Dame and North Carolina game that will be played at 4 p.m.

"We're really excited about the opportunity to play Stetson," McMahon said. "[Coach] Pete Dunn does an outstanding job. They'll be well-schooled and well-prepared."

McMahon hopes to see a large fan turnout to support the team. This weekend will be the first time the team will play at home since winning the Southeastern Conference regular season championship.

Senior center fielder Jeff Corsaletti has played in the NCAA Tournament for the past three seasons and is stressing that his teammates not underestimate the competition.

"We're playing in one of the best regionals," Corsaletti said. "North Carolina is 40-17-1. They have a guy, Andrew Miller, he's like [6-foot-6]. It's his hometown, he's going to be a first-round draft pick next year. They have two other arms that are unbelievable also."

Miller is a 2003 graduate of Buchholz High School. He chose the Tar Heels over the Devil Rays, the team that selected him in the third round of the 2003 draft.

"There won't be any blowouts in this regional," Corsaletti said. "There will be a lot of exciting games."

Stetson comes into the NCAA Tournament after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

The Hatters nearly defeated the Gators on May 18 at McKethan Stadium. UF came from behind to win 6-4 on the strength of a Matt LaPorta home run.

In the game, Stetson's Chris Ingoglia pitched six innings to hold the Gators to three runs before the bullpen allowed three runs in the loss.

Ingoglia will face the Gators again on Friday. The sophomore left-hander holds an 8-3 record with a 4.56 ERA this season.

The Gators will send Alan Horne to the mound, four days before he will likely be drafted for the third time in the MLB draft.

"It feels great to be chosen to start on Friday," Horne said. "We have confidence in any of our guys to go out there and get it done. To be recognized as the guy that gets to go out there and get in the winner's bracket, it's awesome."

Horne transferred to UF after a season at Chipola Junior College that was part of recovery from Tommy John surgery suffered while pitching at Mississippi the prior year.

Horne was selected in the 30th round of the draft in 2004. In 2001, he was the 27th overall selection in the drafted, but opted to enroll at Mississippi.

"This year has been the first time in a long time that I've had fun playing ball," Horne said. "I've been healthy down the stretch. That's a big testament to Coach McMahon and the rest of the team. Hopefully we take it all the way and keep winning, so there won't be anything to regret after the season."

Horne holds a 7-2 record and 4.16 ERA after winning his last six decisions.

"I've pitched really well down the stretch," Horne said. "I'm starting to get a lot of confidence, getting deep into games, so I'm sure that's what it is. Hopefully I can go deep in the first game so hopefully we only have to use the bullpen a little or not at all so they will be fully rested and ready for the weekend."

He said he doesn't consider the upcoming June 7 draft to be a distraction.

"At that time, hopefully we'll be preparing for a Super Regional," Horne said. "I'm trying to keep it in the back of my mind. The biggest thing is that we win."

"If I got out there and do my job and get a win for us, then as far as the draft goes and the scouts go, that's going to take care of itself," Horne said. "I figure that if I'm doing well enough to get us a win, I feel like I'm doing enough to impress [the scouts]."

McMahon has not yet decided which pitcher will start the Saturday and Sunday games. Junior Bryan Ball struggled against Mississippi in the SEC tournament, but senior Tommy Boss and freshman Stephen Locke were impressive.

(C) 2004 Independent Florida Alligator via U-WIRE