Florida wouldn’t leave Dudy Noble Field Sunday without a fight after losing the prior two games of the series against Mississippi State and the Gators came away with an 8-3 win on Sunday. An eight run fifth inning was the catalyst for the win.
Mississippi State in the first inning as sophomore righty Johnny Magliozzi started on the mound for the Gators. Bulldogs Junior Adam Frazier led with a double then went to third on a single up the middle by junior Alex Detz. A sac fly by junior Hunter Renfroe brought home Frazier for a run. Detz stole second and went to third on a wild pitch, and an RBI single by junior Brett Pirtle scored another run.
The Gators didn’t come alive until the fifth for an explosive inning. Senior Vickash Ramjit led with a single to left field and Josh Tobias followed with another single. Harrison Bader reached on a bunt single to put Florida in business. With bases loaded and no outs Connor Mitchell slammed a ball down the right field line to clear the bases for a three run pinch-hit triple to give Florida a 3-2 lead. Cody Dent walked and Richie Martin singled to score Mitchell. Sophomore Casey Turgeon bunted and reached on a throwing error as Dent scored.
With the Gators up 5-2 Taylor Gushue hit a sacrifice fly to score Martin and Justin Shafer hit. Turgeon stole second and Shafer walked. With two out, Tobias hit a two run double to complete the eight run inning for the Gators.
In the bottom of the fifth, Frost started the inning with a double and freshman Jacob Robson followed with an RBI single to score one. However, a fielder’s choice and a double play ended the inning and neither team would again score in the game.
Florida is now 15-18 overall and 5-7 in the SEC while the Bulldogs fall to 26-9 and to 5-7 in the SEC. Florida next wraps up its games with FSU with a game in Tallahassee on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6pm.