Consistent scoring paced the Gators past the Bulls 9-1 Saturday, as UF scored in 5 of the 8 frames they batted in. The victory wins the series with USF, which hopefully by the end of the year will be a solid RPI opponent. The RPI counts series wins, so even if the Bulls win on Sunday, Florida will receive credit for winning the series. The offensive tide was barely kept in check at the start of the game, as Florida loaded the bases with the first three batters.
Matt den Dekker (CF) led off with a double. Josh Adams (2B) and Preston Tucker (1B) were both walked. USF starter Ray Delphay (0-1) avoided disaster by striking out freshman Austin Maddox (DH) looking, inducing a pop up to short by Tyler Thompson (LF), and getting Bryson Smith (3B) on a swinging strike three.
The Gators did not have to worry about the missed opportunity; their pitching commanded the day. Florida starter Brian Johnson (1-0) went 5.2 innings, only gave up 3 hits, and had 3 strikeouts. The freshman southpaw was pulled with a 3-0 lead in the 6th after allowing a bases empty two out single to Sam Mende (SS). RHP Hudson Randall (0-0) relieved and induced a 6-4 fielder’s choice by Todd Brazeal (1B) to retire Mende and end the inning. Randall then pitched a scoreless 7th.
LFP Kevin Chapman (0-0) walked Jonathan Koscso (1B) but allowed nothing else in a scoreless 8thbefore yielding to RHP Michael Heller in the 9th. Heller allowed a single to Brazeal but erased him on a comeback 1-6-3 double play from Junior Carlin (LF). Pinch hitter Sean Buckley hit the Bulls only extra base hit of the day by doubling to left. Andrew Longley (C) singled Buckley in to break the shutout before Chad Taylor (2B) flew out to left to end the game.
In the first eight innings no more than four Bulls batted in an inning. In contrast Florida only had two innings where four or less batters saw the plate as the Orange and Blue bats were active all game. The Gators totaled 9 runs on 10 hits in only 8 innings of work.
Tucker led off the third with a single and advanced to 2B on a wild pitch. After Maddox struck out swinging, Thompson singled in Tucker for a 1-0 lead. Thompson was then caught stealing and Smith struck out looking to end the frame.
Kamm Washington (RF) led off the 4th with a solo home run to right. It was the second career at bat for the freshman, and first career hit. Nolan Fontana (SS) was then hit by a pitch, but it did not appear retaliatory. Fontana advanced to 2B on a passed ball during Mike Zunino (C) strikeout, and advanced to third on a 1-3 ground out by den Dekker. With two out SS Mende made an error allowing Adams to reach 1B and Fontana to score from 3B. Tucker singled. Maddox then hit a ball over the left center field wall that was brought back for an out by Ryan Lockwood (CF) to retire the side.
Fontana was in on the action again after he led off the 6th with a walk. Zunino doubled to score Fontana, but was called out trying to advance to third on a “you don’t see everyday” 7-3-5 play after the Carlin overthrew 2B on the throw in. None of the Umpires had moved to cover third on the play leading to a tense moment where the men in blue all looked at each other for the call. Home plate Umpire Manuel Salazar took the initiative and ruled Zunino out on what appeared to be the correct call.
Maddox started the 7th with the second home run in as many career games. Had it not been for the spectacular play by Lockwood in the 4th it would’ve been Maddox’s second homer in as many at bats. His blast made it 5-0.
The Gators crushed any hopes of a 9th inning comeback in the bottom of the 8th. Zunino flew out to start the inning. Then the wheels fell off. den Dekker singled followed by walks from Adams and Tucker. This brought up Maddox to a resounding cheer, but he struck out swinging. Thompson then came through with his second hit, a bases clearing double to give him 4 RBI on the day and push the score to 9-0.
This was a great team performance by the club today. They were dominant on both sides of the ball and took the game to the Bulls. This locks up the series and gets the season off on the right foot. USF is a quality opponent who should make noise in a not so tough Big East.
The Gators will go for a sweep tomorrow, which is still a very important game. Every win and loss gets looked at by the NCAA committee at the end of the year and sweeps look good. This is a team that has aspirations of a trip to Omaha. A national seed makes that a lot easier and they need to win as many nonconference games as they humanly can. There are ten SEC series. Sweeps in the SEC are hard, and they will lose a series or two because everyone is good. A 20-10 record in SEC play would probably win the conference, as LSU and Mississippi tied for the conference regular season crown with that record a year ago. The Gators play 56 regular season games. You usually have to have 40 or more wins to get a national seed. Since we know there will be losses in the SEC, the Gators can’t afford to lose many nonconference tilts. With FSU and scUM series always hotly contested you can expect 2+ losses in those seven games, as for damn sure UF would take 5-2 in those seven if you offered.
A long story short, win tomorrow. See you at noon.
Editor's Note: You can see Allen's writeup of Game 1 (Friday night) here.
