The No. 1 Florida Gators (39-7, 15-6 Southeastern) went on the road to Knoxville to beat the Tennessee Volunteers (24-22, 6-16, SEC), 7-2. It was far from Florida’s most impressive performance of the season, but Friday night was what fans have come to expect with Logan Shore on the mound. Shore earned his ninth victory of the season, the 14th consecutive decision he’s won, dating back to last season. Florida hasn’t lost a game that Shore started since a 4-1 loss at home to Auburn on may 14th, nearly a year ago.
Florida jumped on Tennessee starter Will Neely early. Neely only earned the start after regular Friday night starter, Aaron Soto was suspended by head coach Dave Serrano.
After the Gators struggled last weekend in South Carolina, Kevin O’Sullivan stressed getting the offense going early. Florida did just that on Tuesday in a win over Bethune Cookman and again Friday in Knoxville. Dalton Guthrie earned a leadoff walk and advanced to second two batters later on JJ Schwarz’s single. Pete Alonso drove both of them home with a double to right-center, giving Florida a 2-0 advantage.
Tennessee cut the lead in half in the third after a leadoff single and a fielding error by Deacon Liput. Tennessee was left with runners on first an second with two outs. Both runners moved up 90-feet on a wild pitch. Derek Lance scored when Vincent Jackson singled.
The Gators continued to add on runs. Jonathan India led off the fourth with a dinger to left field (India also homered last Friday night at South Carolina). Deacon Liput drove in Pete Alonso with a two-out single up the middle and Mike Rivera led the sixth off with a home run of his own.
Shore was steady. The junior threw six innings; scattering two runs, one earned. It wasn’t Shore’s best start, but it’s what has come to be expected of the righty. When Shore takes the mound next week it will be one full year since his last decision that ended in a loss. He’s been dominant at times, but his consistency is what Florida has relied on to start every SEC series for a year.
Florida and Tennessee will play the second game of the series at 4 pm. on Saturday.