The Florida Gators opened SEC play in the win column after their ace, Brandon Sproat, pitched the best game of his collegiate career. Sproat had an unbelievable game as the Florida Gators shut out the Alabama Crimson Tide 3-0.
Junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat got the start and win for the Florida Gators on the SEC Opening Day. Sproat was magnificent against one of the best hitting teams in the country.
The Florida ace pitched all nine innings allowing one hit, no runs, two walks, and eleven strikeouts. Sproat also set a career-high on Thursday night as he struck out eleven batters in the series opener.
Sproat all of his pitches working Thursday night but the two pitches that really stood out were his fastball and changeup. Sproat was sitting in the mid-90s and topped out at 99 mph. Sproat was still throwing 98 mph late in his outing.
The most impressive pitch Sproat had on Thursday was his changeup. His changeup was incredible showing incredible movement and was touching 91 mph. Another important factor about Sproat’s shutout was he saved the bullpen. Florida might play a doubleheader on Friday and will have all of their arms available.
The Florida Gators didn’t have their best night as Alabama’s pitching staff threw very well until the end. Freshman second baseman Cade Kurland had the play of the game as he smoked a two-run home run to left field giving Florida a 2-0 lead.
Shortstop Josh Rivera also had a productive night at the dish. Rivera went 2-3 with two knocks, a stolen base, and scored in the bottom of the seventh. Kurland and Rivera were the only Gators that had hits on Thursday.
What’s next?
The Florida Gators will look to clinch the series win on Friday night against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep will be on the mound for the Florida Gators. This will be Waldrep’s first SEC start as a Gator.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ben Hess will get the start for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Hess will look to even the series and force a rubber match in the series finale. It’s still unclear if Florida will only play one game tomorrow or have a doubleheader to avoid the inclement weather on Saturday. The first pitch for Friday’s game is at 6:30 pm EST on the SEC Network+.
Junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat got the start and win for the Florida Gators on the SEC Opening Day. Sproat was magnificent against one of the best hitting teams in the country.
The Florida ace pitched all nine innings allowing one hit, no runs, two walks, and eleven strikeouts. Sproat also set a career-high on Thursday night as he struck out eleven batters in the series opener.
Sproat all of his pitches working Thursday night but the two pitches that really stood out were his fastball and changeup. Sproat was sitting in the mid-90s and topped out at 99 mph. Sproat was still throwing 98 mph late in his outing.
The most impressive pitch Sproat had on Thursday was his changeup. His changeup was incredible showing incredible movement and was touching 91 mph. Another important factor about Sproat’s shutout was he saved the bullpen. Florida might play a doubleheader on Friday and will have all of their arms available.
The Florida Gators didn’t have their best night as Alabama’s pitching staff threw very well until the end. Freshman second baseman Cade Kurland had the play of the game as he smoked a two-run home run to left field giving Florida a 2-0 lead.
Shortstop Josh Rivera also had a productive night at the dish. Rivera went 2-3 with two knocks, a stolen base, and scored in the bottom of the seventh. Kurland and Rivera were the only Gators that had hits on Thursday.
What’s next?
The Florida Gators will look to clinch the series win on Friday night against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep will be on the mound for the Florida Gators. This will be Waldrep’s first SEC start as a Gator.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ben Hess will get the start for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Hess will look to even the series and force a rubber match in the series finale. It’s still unclear if Florida will only play one game tomorrow or have a doubleheader to avoid the inclement weather on Saturday. The first pitch for Friday’s game is at 6:30 pm EST on the SEC Network+.
