For the first time since Feb. 13, Florida reached a low point against High Point.
The Gators (13-2) saw its nation-leading 13-game winning streak come to an end Friday night, falling 7–2 to the Panthers (7-7) at Condron Family Ballpark in the opening game of the weekend series.
High Point’s offense was efficient, scoring seven runs on seven hits. Panthers pitcher Wade Walton threw seven innings, allowing two earned runs on 107 pitches.
“We’ve been playing so good, there’s no reason to throw up any red flags,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “Our pitching staff’s been outstanding and we’ve been swinging the bat good … we just ran into a really good pitcher tonight.”
Florida ace Liam Peterson pitched five innings, allowing one hit and two earned runs while walking four batters. Dominant early, Peterson struck out 11 batters, allowing just two balls in play through his first 73 pitches.
Florida’s bottom half of the lineup, which had combined for 16 starts in the Gators’ first 14 games, got the scoring started in the third inning. Singles by first baseman Landon Stripling and second baseman Colton Schwarz set up Kyle Jones, who drove in Stripling to give Florida a 1-0 lead.
High Point broke through in the sixth inning. After Peterson exited with runners on the corners and no outs, Florida called on right-hander Russell Sandefer. Sandefer walked his first batter to load the bases for outfielder Lane Allen.
A wild pitch tied the game before senior Landen Johnson grounded out to score another run, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Florida then turned to Ernesto Lugo Canchola, who had pitched a team-high 11 innings among non-starters this season. Lugo Canchola entered with one out and a runner on third and struck out back-to-back batters to end the inning.
The Gators responded later in the sixth when sophomore Brendan Lawson hit his team-leading sixth home run — his third consecutive solo shot — to tie the game at 2.
High Point regained the lead in the seventh. Florida right-hander Jackson Barberi allowed runners to reach first and second with two outs before freshman Willie Ponce delivered an RBI single. Ponce then stole second, putting runners on second and third.
Lane Allen followed with a hit to center field that scored two runs, extending the Panthers’ lead to 5-2.
“I think the walk hurt us a lot,” Peterson said. “Nothing against their lineup, they’re a really good team, but I think at the end of the day we beat ourselves.”
High Point added insurance in the ninth. After runners reached first and second, freshman Eli Blair entered for Florida. A slow dribbler to third base resulted in an infield single to load the bases with no outs.
“We haven’t played too many teams that exposed us on the base path,” O’Sullivan said. “We got exposed in the bunt game.”
Johnson then hit a ground ball to first that deflected off the glove of Stripling. Schwarz attempted to beat the runner to the bag after fielding the ball near second, but the runner was ruled safe despite Florida challenging the call. The Panthers scored twice on the play to take a 7-2 lead.
The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. when two undefeated pitchers are scheduled to take the mound. Florida will start sophomore Aidan King (2-0, 0.00 ERA), who left his previous outing after 2 1/3 innings due to cramps. High Point will counter with right-hander Ty Brachbill (3-0, 3.26 ERA), who leads the Panthers with 18 strikeouts.
The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and on ESPN 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF.
