Florida 1-USC 0 (10) Game Summary
- The teams played 9.5 innings of scoreless ball before the Gators scored the lone run in the bottom of the tenth.
- Kyle Jones led off with a double off of Brandon Stone. After an intentional walk, a bunt moved the runners to second and third. Another intentional pass loaded the bases, and freshman Cash Strayer hit a fly ball to mid-centerfield. Tyler Bak made the catch and fired homeward. The ball took a tough hop in front of catcher Talmadge LeCroy, and he wasn’t able to corral it and make a tag on a sliding Strayer.
- Three Gamecock pitchers combined on a nine-inning one-hitter. Josh Gunther started and was lifted with one out in the seventh. He walked three, hit two, and struck out five. Alex Valentin followed with an inning of work, walking two while striking out one. Stone (2-1) allowed the one hit in the ninth, and then eventually allowed the one run in the tenth for the loss.
- The Gamecocks had only one hit themselves. That was a leadoff single by LeCroy in the fourth, but he was wiped out in a double-play. The Gamecocks drew five walks, had one batter reach base after being hit, and three others got on board via errors. But, they also struck out 15 times.
- Liam Peterson started for the Gators and allowed one hit over six innings. He struck out ten and walked two. Three relievers finished up with Josh Whritenour (2-0) going the final 2.1 innings. He struck out three but allowed four baserunners.
- The scoring opportunities for USC were few and far between. The Gamecocks had 1st and 2nd with two outs in the sixth, but Will Craddock struck out. In the top of the ninth, they loaded the bases with two outs when Craddock was hit by a pitch, followed by two walks. Dawson Harman, however, hit a ground ball to the second baseman for the force at second to end the threat.
- In the top of the tenth, Bak walked with one out, but LeCroy struck out and Craddock lined out to center to strand the Gamecocks’ ninth baserunner.
- Florida has won six straight over the Gamecocks. USC falls to 12-7 and 0-1 in the SEC. Florida improves to 16-3 and 1-0.
- Game two of the series will be Saturday at 6:30 on SEC Network Plus. Righty Amp Phillips (2-1, 3.50) will face RHP Aidan King (2-1, 0.00).
