Florida (13-3) defeated Siena 3-2 inside Condron Ballpark on Friday night.
Gators’ ace Brandon Sproat didn’t toe the rubber until 8:00 PM as the game was delayed due to weather conditions in Gainesville.
Sproat struggled with his command and didn’t have a good grip on his slider for the majority of his four innings pitched. However, the hard throwing right hander was able to work through the Saints’ lineup with his fastball and next-level changeup.
Sproat allowed no runs, three hits, three walks and three HBPs on 82 pitches. The Pace native was able to consistently place his changeup low in the zone, helping him rack up seven strikeouts through four innings.
Although Sproat’s performance wasn’t eligible for the win, it’s always a good sign when you don’t allow a run on an off-night. It’s not easy to take the mound after a rain delay, especially after having already warmed up. Sproat has next level stuff and shouldn’t be a concern moving forward.
Florida scored one run in each of the first two innings to start the game.
Josh Rivera reached on a fielders choice, bringing home Langford in the bottom of the first.
One inning later, Kurland walked with the bases loaded and Shelnut scored, giving Florida a 2-0 lead.
Freshman Cade Fisher took the mound in the fifth inning for the Gators. The left hander gave up two runs (one earned) in his first inning of work after Barbero doubled to right center, scoring Livingston and Stewart. The extra base hit came after a walk and an error by Josh Rivera, who failed to make a force out at second base.
The lefty had his swing and miss stuff tonight, striking out five batters in his two innings of work. Fisher (2-0) was credited with the win.
Tyler Shelnut blasted a home run to left center on the first pitch he saw from Rozakis in the bottom of the sixth inning, extending the Gators’ lead to 3-2.
Nick Ficarrotta pitched the 7th and 8th frames for the Gators, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out two. Ficarrotta allowed zero free passes in the contest.
Sophomore Brandon Neely picked up the save, striking out two batters to close the game for the Gators.
Florida totaled 11 base knocks on Friday night, but couldn’t come up with the big hits in the big moments. The Gators were just 1-8 (.125) at the plate with two outs, 4-20 (.200) with runners on, and 1-12 (.083) with runners in scoring position.
Defense was sloppy all night for Florida. While only credited with two errors, one could make an argument for four Gators errors in the game.
Florida was flat tonight and seemed to lack energy. However, it’s always good to find the win column on an off night. It was refreshing to see the Gators’ bullpen bail the batters out for the first time this season.
I know it didn’t seem likely, but Florida was eventually going to have an off night at the plate. Credit to Kevin O’Sullivan’s bullpen for holding it down on one of those nights.
Florida will look to take the series against Siena on Saturday at 4:00 PM.
Any update on Langford?