Florida Baseball Falters In Final Regular Season Game; Falls To Vols 7-5

After taking the first two games of the series, the Florida baseball team was defeated by Tennessee 7-5 in the third game Saturday afternoon.  Florida finished the regular season with a record of 37-19 including 21 conference wins, one shy of a school record.

Things were looking optimistic for the Orange and Blue early on in the game, taking a 2-1 lead into the third inning.  Florida’s Taylor Gushue put the Gators on the board first with a solo homer, his sixth home run of the year and first since May 4^th in Tuscaloosa.  Tennessee countered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the second. 

Florida sophomore Danny Young made his fifth SEC start of the year Saturday afternoon.  Young lasted just 2.1 innings on the hill only striking out one.  Shaun Anderson, who would eventually be given the loss, replaced Young in the third.  Anderson let in two earned runs in his time on the mound.

The Vols carried a 4-2 lead into the fifth following an impressive three run third inning. Florida quickly recovered when Taylor Gushue added to his RBI total in the top of the fifth, driving in two runs on a double down the left field line.  Florida posted three runs in the inning, pulling ahead 5-4.  It wouldn’t take the Volunteers long to regain the lead, matching Florida with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. 

Tennessee wouldn’t let their lead slip away again, holding on to defeat Florida 7-5.   UT starter Andy Cox picked up his fifth win of the season, going seven innings in the game. 

Even with the loss, UF lays claim to the top seed in this week’s SEC tournament.  Florida will face the winner of Kentucky and Alabama on Wednesday in Hoover, Alabama.  Listen into the Gator IMG Sports network at 5:30 Wednesday as Mick Hubert and Jeff Cardozo have the call.