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The Florida baseball team took the final game of a three game series against Florida Gulf Coast Tuesday night with a 7-1 road win. This was the last game of an eight game road stretch. The Gators managed a 5-3 record in these games with three of the wins coming against top five teams.
Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan is pleased with the state of his team.
“This was a really good game for us. I told our guys after the game that I’m proud of the way they played on this road trip. There was no let up tonight. We had some timely hits with two outs, we got some clutch hits there and I thought we ran the bases really well tonight. Turgeon swung the bat well to start the game off and I thought Gushue looked as good as he has all year. Eight of nine guys got hits. Richie Martin looked really good at the plate. A lot of guys contributed.”
Florida had 15 hits in the game and went 7 for 17 with runners in scoring position. Eight different Gators earned a hit in the game, including Taylor Gushue who extended his hit streak to 11 consecutive games. Buddy Reed also carried his weekend success into Tuesday night’s action, going 2 for 4 with a run scored.
The Gators used four different pitchers in the game. Ryan Harris got the start and the win, going two innings only allowing one hit. In relief Kirby Snead looked untouchable, facing just 13 batters in four innings of work. FGCU starter Brady Anderson struggled, giving up nine hits and four runs in four innings on the hill.
Coach O’Sullivan knows it is important for his pitching staff to continue its success.
“It was good to get Ryan (Harris) out there for his first career start. We just wanted to get him 30 pitches or so. I felt that it was important to get to a good start down here. It’s really important when you get on the road to a put a zero on the board in the first. We had a lot of confidence in Ryan. Kirby Snead was outstanding. Four innings and I don’t think he even threw 40 pitches. He’s going to be ready to go this weekend. Shafer did his job and we got Shaun Anderson out there as well. A lot of guys got into the game. We had the opportunity to get Mattson in there to catch from the seventh inning on. Really a good ball game overall for us. It was a heck of a way to finish the eight game road trip.”
Florida now returns home for an eight game stretch in Gainesville. The Gators will take on SEC East rival Georgia this weekend.
Audio from the game is below.
