The Florida Gators had an excellent performance in their series opener versus the Tennessee Volunteers. The Florida pitching staff and the long ball led the Gators to victory on Thursday night.
Junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat got the start and win for the Florida Gators. Sproat had a terrific outing after struggling in his last two starts. Sproat threw 5.2 innings allowing four hits, one run, four walks, and nine strikeouts.
After Sproat’s impressive outing, Florida handed the ball to left-handed relief pitcher Philip Abner. The North Carolina native was lights against the Volunteers’ offense and had a career night. Abner pitched 2.1 innings allowing two hits, no runs, no walks, and a career-high six strikeouts.
Heading into the ninth, Kevin O’Sullivan went with their closer, Brandon Neely, in a non-save situation. Neely wasn’t at his best, but he was still able to the Volunteers off the scoreboard. In his one inning of work, Sproat allowed one hit, no runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
The Florida Gators’ offense had a tough task facing one of the top pitchers in the country. Chase Dollander threw well against the Gators, but former Missouri transfer Seth Halvorsen got roughed up by Florida’s lineup.
The Gators scored six runs on eight hits and three home runs. Freshman Cade Kurland had a huge game after dropping down in the lineup. Kurland went 2-4 with a double and solo home run to right field in the win. Kurland has been scuffling at the dish but had an excellent game Thursday night.
First baseman Jac Caglianone stayed hot at the plate as he went 2-5 with a double down the right-field line. Shortstop Josh Rivera went 1-4 with a three-run home run and catcher BT Riopelle followed that up with a solo home run to left field.
What’s next?
The Florida Gators will look to clinch the series win on Friday night in game two of their series versus the Tennessee Volunteers. Junior right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep will be on the mound for the Gators.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Chase Burns will get the start for the Volunteers on Friday night. The 2022 National Freshman of the Year will look to force a rubber match in Saturday’s series finale. The first pitch for Friday’s game is at 7 pm EST on the SEC Network.
Junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat got the start and win for the Florida Gators. Sproat had a terrific outing after struggling in his last two starts. Sproat threw 5.2 innings allowing four hits, one run, four walks, and nine strikeouts.
After Sproat’s impressive outing, Florida handed the ball to left-handed relief pitcher Philip Abner. The North Carolina native was lights against the Volunteers’ offense and had a career night. Abner pitched 2.1 innings allowing two hits, no runs, no walks, and a career-high six strikeouts.
Heading into the ninth, Kevin O’Sullivan went with their closer, Brandon Neely, in a non-save situation. Neely wasn’t at his best, but he was still able to the Volunteers off the scoreboard. In his one inning of work, Sproat allowed one hit, no runs, two walks, and three strikeouts.
The Florida Gators’ offense had a tough task facing one of the top pitchers in the country. Chase Dollander threw well against the Gators, but former Missouri transfer Seth Halvorsen got roughed up by Florida’s lineup.
The Gators scored six runs on eight hits and three home runs. Freshman Cade Kurland had a huge game after dropping down in the lineup. Kurland went 2-4 with a double and solo home run to right field in the win. Kurland has been scuffling at the dish but had an excellent game Thursday night.
First baseman Jac Caglianone stayed hot at the plate as he went 2-5 with a double down the right-field line. Shortstop Josh Rivera went 1-4 with a three-run home run and catcher BT Riopelle followed that up with a solo home run to left field.
What’s next?
The Florida Gators will look to clinch the series win on Friday night in game two of their series versus the Tennessee Volunteers. Junior right-handed pitcher Hurston Waldrep will be on the mound for the Gators.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Chase Burns will get the start for the Volunteers on Friday night. The 2022 National Freshman of the Year will look to force a rubber match in Saturday’s series finale. The first pitch for Friday’s game is at 7 pm EST on the SEC Network.
