In a top-10 matchup that featured two big-time arms, the No. 10 Florida Gators (36-14, 15-10) and No. 9 Vanderbilt Commodores (36-14, 18-7 SEC) delivered exactly what was expected — a pitching duel. The Gators dropped the series opener to Vanderbilt 2-0 in a game that was dictated by the two starting pitchers.
Logan Shore and Carson Fulmer were as good as advertised and both showed well in front of a packed house and major league scouts from all over the country.
Vanderbilt got on the scoreboard early. Zander Wiel led the inning off with a double. A walk and a groundout later and the Dores had runners on second and third with just one out. A walk loaded the bases before Tyler Campbell’s single gave Vanderbilt a 1-0 advantage. Shore got an inning-ending double play to get out of the inning but the damage was done.
The Gators would have their chances throughout the game but they left six runners on base and Vanderbilt played stellar defense with Harrison Bader having a home run robbed by Bryan Reynolds in the fourth inning and robbed again by Rhett Wiseman in the ninth.
Other than the lone run in the second inning, Shore was brilliant. The sophomore threw seven innings, allowed just six hits, three walks and struck out five. Unfortunately for the Orange and Blue, Fulmer was on a whole different level. The surefire top-10 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft had his fastball working and kept batters guessing and whiffing at his curveball. Fulmer went the distance to earn his sixth shutout in 13 starts, striking out 11 batters while giving up only six hits.
A.J. Puk will take the mound at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to try and even the series.