The Florida Gators take the series over Charleston Southern, winning game two 16-2 after seven innings on Saturday evening.
Although the run-rule was in effect once again, coach Sullivan was able to work 13 players into the game. Matt Prevesk, Dale Thomas, and Richie Schiekofer saw action at the plate and in the field, while Rene Lastres logged one inning at catcher.
THROWING STRIKES
The Gators’ pitchers commanded the ball significantly better in game two, walking just two batters in seven innings while posting a strike percentage of 71%.
The highly touted Southern Miss transfer Hurston Waldrep got the start on the bump this evening for Florida. The 6-2, 210-pound right hander battled through issues with the wind tonight, finishing with a solid stat line of 5 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 6 K.
Waldrep said in the postgame press conference that he didn’t have his best stuff tonight but had 1-2 good pitches an inning and was able to work through the game with that.
The Gators’ bullpen impressed once again, this time with a pair of freshmen in Cade Fisher and Yoel Tejeda Jr. Both Fisher and Tejeda threw one inning, setting the Bucs down in order on both occasions. Working quick and throwing strikes is one way to win over coach Kevin O’Sullivan, and that’s exactly what the freshmen did this evening, combining for 16 pitches (11 strikes) in two innings pitched.
SLOPPY BUCS DEFENSE
The storyline of the game was Charleston Southern’s defense, who was generously credited with five errors, leading to 11 unearned runs allowed for the Bucs.
It looked as if Charleston Southern didn’t get much practice in the offseason, that’s how ugly it was. Simple cut-off plays were botched due to a miscommunication on Friday and Saturday. Poor throws around the infield and fumbled balls in the outfield hurt the Bucs tonight.
RUNS RUNS AND MORE RUNS
Although many of Florida’s runs were gift wrapped, the Gators weren’t an easy out for Buccaneer pitchers. Florida consistently took advantage of CSU’s mistakes in the field by hitting .375 with runners on base and .571 with runners in scoring position.
The Gators hit .344 (11-32) as a team, leaving just five runners on base, which is impressive considering Florida crossed home plate 16 times in the contest.
Florida was great with two outs once again, hitting .400 (4-10) with two gone.
The Gators situational hitting was on point tonight, something Florida will need to continue if they want to have an elite season.
SCORING SUMMARY
T2: Brock, B. singled to right field, RBI (1-2); Agard, J advanced to third; Asman, C. scored.
CSU 1
UF 0
B2: Riopelle singled to right field, RBI (3-1); J. Rivera scored, unearned.
CSU 1
UF 1
B3: Langford reached on an error by 3b, RBI (2-2); Robertson advanced to third; Kurland scored.
CSU 1
UF 2
B3: Langford advanced to second; Robertson scored on a wild pitch, unearned.
CSU 1
UF 3
B3: Caglianone singled to right field, RBI (3-1); Langford scored.
CSU 1
UF 4
B4: Caglianone hit by pitch, RBI (1-1); Langford advanced to second; Robertson advanced to third; Kurland scored.
CSU 1
UF 5
B4: J. Rivera reached on a fielder’s choice, RBI (2-2); Caglianone advanced to second on an error by ss, advanced to third on the throw; Langford scored, unearned; Robertson scored.
CSU 1
UF 7
B4: Evans singled up the middle, 2 RBI (1-2); J. Rivera scored, unearned; Caglianone scored, unearned.
CSU 1
UF 9
B4: Shelnut homered to left field, 2 RBI, unearned (1-0); Evans scored, unearned.
CSU 1
UF 11
T5: Wilson, A. grounded out to 1b unassisted, RBI (1-1); Aldrich, C. advanced to second; Brock, B. scored.
CSU 2
UF 11
B5: Robertson grounded out to 2b, RBI (0-2); Kurland scored, unearned.
CSU 2
UF 12
B5: Riopelle singled to right field, RBI (0-0); J. Rivera advanced to third; Langford scored, unearned.
CSU 2
UF 13
B5: Evans doubled to center field, 2 RBI (1-0); Riopelle scored, unearned; J. Rivera scored, unearned.
CSU 2
UF 15
B6: Kurland singled to right field, RBI (0-0); Thomas scored, unearned.
CSU 2
UF 16
Ty Evans led the Gators with four RBIs on two hits including a hustle double. Evans added a walk, a run, and a stolen base to the stat sheet.
Freshman Cade Kurland made his first collegiate start this evening and didn’t disappoint, totaling two hits including a double, a walk, three runs scored, and an RBI. Kurland also played great defense for seven innings.
Tyler Shelnut laced a two-run home run in the bottom of the 4th, the first long ball of his Gators’ career.
Florida will look to take the series finale tomorrow at 1:00 pm.