Behind a season-high seven home runs, No. 25 Florida baseball cruised to a 13–2 run-rule win over No. 15 Oklahoma on Sunday at Kimrey Family Stadium to clinch the series.
The Gators improved to 31–17 (13–11 SEC) and now own a nation-best 14–6 record against ranked opponents. Florida also leads the country with 15 Quad 1 wins, bolstering its resume as Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad pushes for an NCAA Regional host spot.
Florida explodes in fifth inning
In a back-and-forth game tied at two, the Gators erupted for eight runs in the fifth inning, powered by home runs from Hayden Yost, Ethan Surowiec, Karson Bowen, and Landon Stripling. Florida’s eight-run fifth inning marked its second-highest scoring frame of the season.
Oklahoma’s bullpen, already taxed after using 12 pitchers in Games 1 and 2, cycled through three relievers before recording an out in the fifth.
Karson Bowen and Hayden Yost each recorded multi-home run games, while Kyle Jones added a home run in the third inning.
The Gators last hit seven home runs in a game on April 23, 2024, against Stetson. The total also set a program record in SEC play.
After scoring just three runs in Game 1 of the series, Florida combined for 23 runs in Games 2 and 3, including tying its season high with 13 in the finale.
“I am really pleased in how we bounced back from a tough Friday night,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said postgame. “Offensively, it was one of our best, if not our best, offensive performances all year long with seven home runs and two more doubles to add to that. I think five guys had multi-hit games and it was a really good offensive day. We took advantage of the wind.”
Crooked innings often decide games, and Florida hasn’t consistently made opponents pay for mistakes this season—but Sunday was different. With power also missing from the lineup, the 10 home runs this weekend offered an encouraging sign.
Russell Sandefer’s best start of the year
Lost in Florida’s offensive explosion was the effectiveness of starting RHP Russell Sandefer. The Tampa native turned in his best outing of the season, tossing seven innings of two-run ball (one earned). Sandefer allowed six hits and one walk while striking out seven.
Once Florida jumped out to a 10–2 lead, Sandefer didn’t allow another baserunner, retiring 11 straight to close out his outing. He consistently filled up the strike zone and used his changeup beautifully to keep hitters off balance.
“That was the best start that he has had. [He] went seven strong for us,” O’Sullivan said on Sandefer. “It was a difficult lineup to navigate through because they have five left-handers and one switchie. He had a couple situations where [there were runners on] second and third with two outs and made some really big pitches at crucial times early in the game to keep it to where it was. He got some ground balls to the right side. He was outstanding today.”
Oklahoma is one of the more aggressive baserunning teams in the SEC, as Florida found out on Saturday night when the Sooners stole seven bases. That aggressiveness helps them manufacture runs, as they don’t offer as much power compared to other teams in the league.
Florida responded on Sunday by limiting Oklahoma to just one free base, reducing their opportunities to steal bases.
“Oklahoma [has] a really good club,” O’Sullivan said. “It is a really hard team to defend because they have a lot of speed up and down the lineup. That’s the thing, if you walk them, it turns into a double. We only had one walk today.”
Sandefer (3-2, 3.61 ERA) was credited with the series-deciding victory as well as a quality start.
UP NEXT
The Gators return to Condron Family Ballpark for a four-game homestand, beginning on Tuesday night against North Florida at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.