Florida run-ruled Stetson 13-3 after seven innings on Tuesday night, tallying a season-high seven home runs and 16 hits in the contest. At 21-19 (8-10 SEC) on the 2024 season, every game matters for the Florida Gators.
Most complete game of the 2024 season
Outside of two defensive mishaps, Florida delivered their most complete game of the 2024 season vs Stetson after losing to the Hatters earlier in the year. 8 of 9 starters recorded a hit in the contest while five posted a multi-hit game. The only player without a hit was Colby Shelton, who fell victim to two loud line outs that fell just short of the outfield fence.
The Gators found offensive success in a variety of ways vs Stetson. Kevin O’Sullivan told the media postgame that they felt like the ball might not carry in the air as much tonight so they wanted to emphasize manufacturing runs, something Florida has not been great at this season. In the bottom of the 2nd, 8-hole power hitter Brody Donay laid down a sac bunt with nobody out, placing two runners in scoring position for Michael Robertson, who proceeded to record a two-RBI base knock up the middle. This perfect execution from the bottom of Florida’s lineup kick-started what turned out to be one of Florida’s better offensive games this season. Florida totaled 2,814 feet of home runs vs Stetson.
O’Sullivan has been searching for answers regarding the bottom of the lineup over the past few weeks. Florida’s 7-9 hitters recorded six hits, two home runs, four RBI, and crossed the plate four times vs Stetson.
Florida was 3-4 with runners in scoring position and posted a batting average of .533 with runners on base.
Limiting damage on the mound
While Florida’s pitchers may not have had their best stuff tonight, they did a great job of limiting damage against a veteran Stetson lineup. The Gators did not allow a hit with two outs (0-6) and held the Hatters to a .250 batting average with runners on base and in scoring position. Florida did not record a single walk through seven innings, making Stetson earn it at the plate.
Ryan Slater took over for Cade Fisher with the bases loaded and nobody out in the third inning. The redshirt junior allowed just one run to come across, turning it over to the offense with a 7-1 lead. Florida has failed to avoid the big inning at times this season, but they did a much better job tonight as Stetson recorded nine hits and just three runs.
Freshmen arms Frank Menendez and Luke McNeillie delivered a critical 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to close this game. Their outings allowed each of Florida’s four pitchers to record less than 40 pitches in the contest, which is important with a big series over Arkansas looming.
“It was pretty much how you wanted to draw it up,” O’Sullivan said on the pitching postgame. “We haven’t had any of those this year, but everybody’s under 40 pitches. We’re didn’t walk anybody. I thought Ryan coming in with bases loaded, nobody out and limited to one run was probably the turning point in the game even though it was early, but I thought he threw the ball really well had some soft contact, but the stuff looks sharp. That’s the second really good outing in a row for Frankie and obviously, Luke came in and threw eight pitches and seven strikes. To be able to play a midweek game and not anybody that overextended, and they’re still fresh to go on Friday night is important and that’s kind of what you hope for.”
Cags does it again
Jac Caglianone blasted a pair of opposite field home runs against the Hatters, marking his 24th and 25th of the season. Caglianone has now homered in 10 of his last 11 games and is just one home run shy of tying the NCAA leader, Georgia’s Charlie Condon.
“Very rarely do you have players like this that when they come to the plate the whole ballpark stops to watch like something great might happen,” O’Sullivan said on Caglianone. “And he’s got that about him. I think Wyatt Langford was like that, you know, Mike Zunino was like that. Preston Tucker was like that. But they’re hard to come by.
Caglianone has launched 65 career home runs, needing 9 to tie Matt LaPorta’s program record of 74. At one point LaPorta’s record seemed like it would never be broken. With 15 regular season games left, the SEC Tournament, and any other postseason baseball, LaPorta’s record is in real danger.