After trailing since the fourth inning, Florida made a ninth-inning push, loading the bases with one out down two. Senior catcher Karson Bowen then grounded into a game-ending double play as Auburn evened the series with a 5–3 win.
While the missed opportunity loomed large, Florida’s fourth-inning defense plagued them in the loss. A dropped pop fly by third baseman Kolt Myers proved costly, as one run scored on the error before Auburn’s left fielder followed with a two-run shot to left, resulting in three unearned runs charged to starter Liam Peterson.
Peterson was otherwise effective, tossing five innings of one-earned-run ball with five strikeouts and two walks. His curveball was sharp, generating multiple swings and misses.
“I thought he pitched good. I thought he pitched really good,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said postgame.
Through two games, this weekend’s series has featured two excellent pitching staffs going at it. In a series where runs are at a premium, you can’t afford miscues in the field—especially on routine plays.
With Peterson’s pitch count at 96 after five innings, Florida turned to RHP Luke McNeillie, who shined over four innings. McNeillie allowed one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six over an efficient 52 pitches.
“I thought Luke McNeillie pitched outstanding too. We only gave up two earned runs over nice innings,” O’Sullivan said.
While Florida lost, McNeillie kept Florida in the game, which is all you can ask in that situation. The beauty of his outing was that the Gators didn’t have to turn to another reliever, which sets up Florida’s bullpen quite nicely for tomorrow.
“It was good for him. It was good for our team. It was good for everybody involved,” O’Sullivan said. I thought he pitched with his secondary stuff really good.”
Florida ran into two of the SEC’s best tonight in LHP Jake Maricano and LHP Jackson Sanders, who combined for 8.1 innings of three-run ball (two earned). The Gators struggled to square up Sanders early, and although they found a groove against him late, they couldn’t push across any runs.
Blake Cyr homered in the contest, marking his sixth of the season and second in as many games. Surowiec continues to swing the bat well against SEC pitching, accounting for half of Florida’s hits with three on the night.
Florida should have the bullpen advantage in tomorrow’s rubber match. The Gators will start Russell Sandefer (2-1, 4.56 ERA), while Auburn counters with RHP Alex Petrovic (6-1, 2.66 ERA). First pitch is set for noon.