No. 21 Florida dropped Game 1 to Ole Miss, 6–4, on Thursday night. The Gators fell to 23–8 (6–4 SEC), while the Rebels improved to 21–10 (4–6 SEC).
Both teams recorded 10 hits, but UF issued 10 free passes—three of which came around to score. Ole Miss allowed just three walks, none of which scored. That was the difference in the ballgame. Sometimes baseball really is that simple, especially with two talented pitching staffs: the team that throws more strikes usually has the edge.
Florida starter Liam Peterson struggled with his command out of the gate, walking the first batter of the game. He never found a feel for his fastball and lasted just 3.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks.
Peterson relied heavily on his off-speed pitches due to his lack of fastball command. It worked through the first two innings, but Ole Miss adjusted by the third.
It’s the second straight week Peterson hasn’t made it past four innings. As the staff’s ace, he’ll need to find a way to work deeper into games to preserve the bullpen moving forward.
Rare off night for Brendan Lawson
Florida’s star, Brendan Lawson, went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts—the first four-strikeout game of his career. Three of his at-bats came with runners on base, making the performance even more costly in a close contest.
Lawson appeared to be crowding the plate, and Ole Miss took advantage by pitching him inside, where he looked uncomfortable.
The rest of the offense
Kyle Jones, Cade Kurland, and Ethan Surowiec combined for nine hits in 13 at-bats. Kurland and Surowiec homered and drove in all four runs.
The rest of the lineup went just 1-for-23.
Florida wasn’t able to string together enough hits, and to Ole Miss’s credit, the Rebels limited free passes, issuing just three walks. They made the Gators earn everything at the plate.
The good news
Florida had a difficult time managing the bullpen tonight while trailing for most of the game, but it avoided using star closer Joshua Whritenour, and Jackson Barberi threw just seven pitches. Both should be available for the final two games.
The Gators also haven’t used former Sunday starter Cooper Walls.
Ernesto Lugo-Canchola and Luke McNeillie were both kept under 40 pitches, potentially making them available for an inning or two on Saturday if needed. Despite a short outing from Peterson, Florida’s bullpen is in decent shape.
UP NEXT
It doesn’t get much easier for Florida as they are set to face two-time All-American LHP Hunter Elliot, who’s 3-0 with a 3.72 through 36.1 innings pitched this season. He’s struck out 51 batters.
Florida will need a strong start tomorrow from sophomore right-hander Aidan King.