The Gators defeated Auburn 17-8 in Sunday’s rubber match, taking the series over the Tigers and improving to 3-0 in SEC series and 7-0 in series overall this season.
Florida (24-5, 7-2 SEC) posted its third comeback of five runs or more this season after the Gators scored 14 unanswered runs in their last four innings at the plate.
Florida’s Sunday starter Jac Caglianone struggled on the mound, allowing four runs, six hits, and four free passes in 3.1 innings pitched. Tiger batters had Caglianone timed up, and the three walks and one hit by pitch wasn’t helping the Gators’ two-way player.
Two relivers later, Ryan Slater took over on the mound for Florida. Slater was sensational, throwing four perfect innings to end the game for the Gators. Slater (4-0, 3.80 ERA) pounded the strike zone, finding the plate on 30 of his 44 pitches, earning four strikeouts in the process.
We heard all offseason that Philip Abner and Ryan Slater looked great throughout summer and fall ball. Abner has been elite for the Gators and Slater is looking to build off his best outing in 2023. Florida needs this pair to be consistent, providing more stability in the Gators’ bullpen.
Freshman catcher Luke Heyman had a monstrous day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a career-high eight RBI. Time and time again Heyman came up in a huge spot and delivered.
Wyatt Langford also played a huge part in the comeback win, reaching base in all six of his plate appearances while going 3-for-3 with one home run, two doubles, five runs and three walks.
Langford’s five runs scored marks a career high for the junior outfielder. With four runs scored on Saturday, Langford scored nine runs in the Auburn series.
Redshirt freshman Michael Robertson extended his on base streak to 26 games after reaching base three times and scoring one run in Sunday’s victory. Kevin O’Sullivan will look at moving Robertson up in the order.
Although Jac Caglianone wasn’t great on the mound today, he was able to shake it off and come up with two clutch hits late in the game for the Gators. Caglianone had two RBI and two runs in the contest.
Florida has the offensive star power to keep them in just about any game they’ll play this season. If the Gators’ pitching staff can throw with more consistency, this team could be poised to make a big run in June.
The Gators are 21-12 in the Auburn series under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan including a 12-6 record in Gainesville.
Florida has won 32 of the last 45 against Auburn.