The Florida Gators defeated FAU 11-0 after eight innings on Wednesday night to claim the two-game midweek set over the Owls.
RHP Tyler Nesbitt got the nod for Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad, making his first start of the 2023 season.
Nesbitt gave up two hits in the top of the first inning before getting Mitchell Hartigan to fly out to center field, ending the Owls early threat. After the two singles, the next 14 batters Nesbitt faced were a combined 0-14 at the plate.
The LaBelle, Florida native finished with an official line of five innings pitched, two hits, and zero walks while striking out six batters. Nesbitt’s five innings pitched marks a career high for the redshirt sophomore.
Nesbitt (1-0) worked quickly in tonight’s game, throwing just 68 pitches (47 strikes) in his five innings of work. Nesbitt commanded the ball well and trusted the defensive behind him, allowing him to comfortably navigate a tough FAU lineup.
LHP Philp Abner took over in the seventh inning and picked up right where Nesbitt left off by retiring the Owls in order.
The sophomore pitched the final nine outs of the game, marking his career high in innings pitched (3). Abner allowed no runs, no hits, and one walk on 34 pitches (22 strikes).
Abner entered tonight’s game having struck out every batter he’s retired this season (8), so seeing Abner throw the ball over the plate and trusting his defense was a step in the right direction for the skilled left hander. The Charlotte native struck out just one batter on Wednesday.
Nesbitt and Abner allowed just four Owls to reach base across eight innings in the combined shutout.
OFFENSE
Florida remains as one of two teams (Wake Forest) in the country to score six+ runs in every game this season after scoring 11 on Wednesday night.
Jac Caglianone had four of the Gators’ 11 hits tonight, including a game-ending grand slam in the bottom of the 8th inning. The power hitting lefty finished with five RBIs, two runs, two doubles, and a home run.
Colby Halter was the only other Gator able to muster a multi-hit game, going 2-3 at the plate with one RBI and three runs scored. Halter put together some impressive at-bats tonight and as always, held down the hot corner with his proficient defense.
The Florida Gators (12-3) saw a team effort in today’s victory, which we haven’t seen much of this season with the offense carrying most of the load.
Florida will look to build off this momentum during their three-game home weekend series against Siena.