Maybe it was only two innings, but Stephen Locke’s return to the Florida baseball team Wednesday night could have a major impact on the rest of the season for the Gators. A quality starter with 13 career wins to his credit, Locke started and gave the Gators two quality innings, allowing just one unearned run, as UF beat North Florida 5-3 before a crowd of 2,363 at McKethan Stadium.
Locke was suspended before the season after an arrest for a DUI, charges that were recently dropped for a lack of evidence. He took the ball for the first time in the 2009 season and gave up one hit while striking out two.
“This was a good first appearance,” a noticeably relieved Locke said. “Sully (Coach Kevin O’Sullivan) wanted me to knock the rust off. I expected to be right back out there once they put me back on. I hope to be making the starting rotation soon, but a lot of those guys have been pitching well. I’ve got some work to do.”
Given a good start by Locke, Florida’s bullpen did their part the rest of the way. Justin Poovey came on to relieve Locke, giving the Gators 4-2/3 innings of three-hit baseball. Poovey was pulled after 58 pitches, which means he should be fresh this weekend for Florida’s three-game SEC series with Alabama.
“It was a tough game,” O’Sullivan said. “They fight until he last out. Poovey gave us exactly what we needed. We’ve been looking for that out of him. He fell behind the first two batters and settled in after that.”
Poovey was a top-100 recruit coming out of high school and originally committed to Clemson when O’Sullivan was the pitching coach there. When O’Sullivan got the Florida head coaching job, Poovey switched his commitment and signed with the Gators. After missing last season because of Tommy John surgery, Poovey has been hit or miss so far, but Wednesday’s outing was a step in the right direction.
“He worked ahead,” O’Sullivan said of Poovey. “He’s got good stuff. There’s no doubting his fastball, changeup or breaking ball. He’s just got to work ahead and pitch. He did that tonight. We probably could have let him go and continue to pitch, but we need him this weekend.”
Poovey felt more comfortable with his work Wednesday night. After a few weeks of struggling, this was his best outing in awhile.
“It was good to get back out there again,” Poovey said. “I’ve scuffled lately. I’ve had a lot of time to think about what I’ve been doing. I’ve worked on it the past few weeks. I really don’t know what it was, but I feel like I’m finally figuring it out.”
Will Jolin came in to relieve Poovey and turned in one inning, allowing two runs on one hit and a walk. Alex Panteliodis threw 1/3 of an inning, allowing a hit. Billy Bullock got his fourth save of the season after throwing the ninth inning, allowing only a walk.
The game was locked down by Bullock, who lowered his ERA to 2.25. The junior has finally found his niche, giving the Gators stability in the bullpen for the first time in O’Sullivan’s tenure at UF.
“If he can continue what he’s doing, it certainly makes managing the game easier,” O’Sullivan said.
Matt den Dekker got the Gators on the scoreboard in the third inning with a solo home run that was Florida’s first run in 12 innings.
“I got a fastball that was a good pitch to hit,” den Dekker said. “I feel pretty good (right now). I just want to help my team. This was a big win for us tonight.”
The winning runs came in the fifth when the Gators used three North Florida errors to score three times.
Florida hopes to take the momentum into this weekend’s SEC series when Alabama comes to town. First pitch Friday night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.