The No. 14 Gators took care of business against Florida A&M at Florida Ballpark on Wednesday night, winning 17-0 for their seventh victory in a row.
Offensively, they racked up double-digit runs and hits (21) and hit at least three homers (six) for the fourth game in a row.
Jud Fabian went 3-for-4, including his second and third homers of the season. His brother, Deric Fabian, also had three hits, while Wyatt Langford went 2-for-3.
Sterlin Thompson and BT Riopelle both clubbed home runs and had multiple hits. Colby Halter blasted his fourth homer of the year.
Corey Robinson picked up his first two career hits, including a home run. Jorge De Goti also got his first career hit.
Ten of UF’s 13 batters with at least two at bats recorded a hit. It marked their most hits in a game since they also notched 21 against Florida Atlantic in 2019. It was their first game with six homers since J.J. Schwarz famously hit four of the Gators’ seven homers against Stetson in 2015.
“It’s always good to get [the young players’] experience up, especially a game like this where [the score is out of hand] a little early,” Jud Fabian said. “It’s always good to get them in there so all the nerves are off whenever we need them because we may need them SEC play or in the postseason. So, having those ABs and experience will help them if they do get in.”
On the mound, Garrett Milchin, the sixth-year senior who missed three seasons earlier in his career after having back-to-back Tommy John surgeries, made his first start of the season and threw five scoreless innings. He gave up just two hits and one walk and struck out a pair of batters.
“He’s extremely tough-minded,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He’s a tremendous competitor. The difficulties and the things he’s gone through, you’ve got to feel good about an outing like this because it has not been easy and a lot of tough days in the training room. I’m really happy for him.”
Added Milchin: “It’s really rewarding at this point. It makes me glad I followed through with it and stayed with it those years where it was tough being hurt for multiple years at a time. I’m really happy to be here. I’m really happy with the way it’s going so far.”
Karl Hartman fired a pair of scoreless frames and gave up just one hit. Philip Abner struck out a batter in a 1-2-3 eighth. Anthony Ursitti struck out three batters in the ninth.
“Even though they’re just three outs and getting through one inning, it’s important for these guys to be able to get out there and have some success and build on it,” O’Sullivan said. “Not to say that they’re going to have success every time they go out there, but, in my eyes, these types of experiences are important for them, especially now in this part of the season.”
Milchin said that he was impressed with the way that the freshmen pitchers went about their business with a gigantic lead. It’s easy to lose your edge in games like that, but they remained focused and delivered the first shutout of the season.
“I look back to my freshman year, there were times when I was in situations like that where games are getting out of hand one way or the other, and you’ve got to lock in and realize ‘Hey, this is my chance to get some experience here,’” Milchin said. “So, it can be difficult. They obviously did a really good job tonight.”
The Gators (8-2) opened the scoring with back-to-back blasts from Jud Fabian and Thompson in the bottom of the first off of Rattlers (5-4) starter Shawn Host.
The Gators put together a two-out rally in the fourth inning against Kendall Clark. Deric Fabian doubled into the right center field gap and scored on Rene Lastres’ single up the middle.
Tucker Talbott then lofted a soft fly ball toward the foul line in right field. LJ Bryant made a sliding attempt to make the catch and had the ball in his glove but didn’t hold on when he hit the ground. That single put runners on the corners.
Halter walked to load the bases, and Jud Fabian walked to make it 4-0.
Riopelle blew the game open in the fifth with a pinch-hit three-run shot that just cleared the wall in left field off of Trent Langley.
Jud Fabian launched his second homer of the game to lead off the sixth off of Jeremiah McCollum to make it 8-0.
UF tacked on three more runs in the sixth. Thompson singled up the middle, and Langford walked. Thompson then advanced to third on a wild pitch.
After Kris Armstrong struck out swinging, Robinson pinch ran for Langford at first. Sensing a possible steal attempt to avoid a double play, McCollum made a pickoff throw to first. The throw sailed wide of the bag. Thompson scored easily, and Robinson went all the way to third.
Riopelle then chopped a single through the right side to make it 10-0.
Halter led off the seventh with his home run to right field off of Turner Sircy. Two more runs scored in the inning on a wild pitch and a bases-loaded fielder’s choice by Deric Fabian.
Robinson hit his three-run shot as part of a four-run eighth.
The Gators will now prepare for their toughest test of the season this weekend when they travel to Coral Gables to take on No. 22 Miami.
“It’s going to be a learning experience,” O’Sullivan said. “Opening weekend’s a learning experience. The first time you go on the road to Stetson’s a learning experience. The first time you go on the road for a weekend series, it’s going to be different. All you can do is try to prepare the players the best you can to handle different environments, and, hopefully, we’ll respond the right way. At the end of the day, it’s a long season, but it’ll be a fun weekend.”
The Hurricanes spoiled the debut of Florida Ballpark with a series win last year, so Florida will be looking to get them back and, more importantly, stay on the right track as SEC play draws nearer.
“We hate Miami, and they hate us,” Jud Fabian said. “So, we’re looking forward to going down there. We’re going to play with a lot of confidence, and it’s going to be a competitive weekend.”