Josh Adams’ fifth-inning blast may have caused a brawl, but it was his home run in the sixth inning that put the game out of reach of visiting Duquesne in Florida’s 10-5 victory Friday night before 2,351 fans at McKethan Stadium.
Adams’ solo home run in the fifth inning looked just like any other at first. But on Adams’ way around the bases, Duquesne pitcher Gary Pierpont followed him, staring him down and yelling about his belief Adams took too much time getting out of the batter’s box.
Adams circled the bases without saying a word, touched home plate and headed towards the dugout, much to the displeasure of Pierpont, whose next pitch flew just over the head of Florida center fielder Matt den Dekker. Players from both dugouts poured onto the field and several fights erupted across the infield.
“He (Pierpont) said a few words,” Adams said. “That was about it, until he kept talking. It wasn’t really a big deal. I just heard the yelling and that was about it.”
A long break in the action ensued, and Florida players Riley Cooper, Ben McMahan and den Dekker were thrown out of the game along with Duquesne’s Rick Devereaux and Pierpont also were thrown out.
Florida (7-4) continued the scoring in the sixth inning. Jerico Weitzel reached first on a walk and moved to second on a balk. He went to third on a ground out and Avery Barnes walked with two outs. He stole second, and the throw went into center to score Weitzel. Adams then followed with his second home run in as many innings.
“That will fuel any team,” Adams said. “This past week we’ve been playing a little tentative. We came out tonight a little pumped up. We’re looking to turn this thing around.”
Florida got five innings of work from freshman starting pitcher Alex Panteliodis, where he allowed eight hits and five runs, four of which were earned. He wasn’t as sharp as the previous two weekends.
“I didn’t think he threw well,” Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He got a lot of balls elevated and was behind in the count. When he got to two strikes, he didn’t put people away. I didn’t think he pitched well. I was a little disappointed to be honest. He’ll learn from it.”
In relief the Gators got two innings from Clint Franklin. It was the first time this season that he made an appearance, and his excitement level was easily noticed. After both innings of work, he came flying off the mound, pumping the crowd up.
“It was good to get Clint back out there,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s been a while since he’s pitched. He had a real good year last year. We’ve been missing him, to be honest with you. He’s an emotional pitcher.”
Franklin missed the offseason because of elbow surgery and had been waiting anxiously for his first appearance this season.
“It felt awesome,” Franklin said. “I’ve been chomping at the bit. I couldn’t wait to get out there. It was a little tightness, but we just wanted to make sure it wasn’t serious. It feels better (than last year). I think I’m throwing a little bit harder than I did last year.”
The Florida bats got things started in the first inning. Barnes blooped a single into left field and advanced to second on a Adams single to center field. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch. Den Dekker then blasted his second home run in as many games just over the fence in left field.
Before being thrown out, den Dekker went 2-2, raising his average to .342, after he was in the low-.200s last weekend. Adams went 4-5 on the night, driving in four runs and scoring three.
“He had a really good night,” O’Sullivan said of Adams. “He came in leading the team in hitting and got four hits. He put some good swings on some pitches.”
The series resumes action Saturday at noon. Florida will start freshman pitcher Nick Maronde (0-1, 3.60). All fans who show their tickets to the Kentucky basketball game will be admitted free.