Gators Pick Up Win to Take Series Opener Against Missouri

The fifth ranked Florida Gator baseball team (24-7,6-4 SEC) picked up a 5-1 win on the road to take down the Missouri Tigers (20-11,6-4 SEC) on Friday night in Columbia, Missouri.

The Gators were powered by a strong performance from starter Logan Shore, who went eight innings to get the win, allowing only one run.  Shore, who now has a 5-2 record, is coming off of a complete game in the second game of last Friday’s doubleheader against Alabama.

Shore started out the game shakily, giving up two hits and a walk to load the bases with no outs but found a way out of the jam, and he settled in nicely from there on out.

Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan talked about his pitcher’s performance.

“For him to get out of the first inning, bases loaded, nobody out, give up one in the second, still wasn’t sharp, to go eight full and save our pen and do what he did, that’s one of the best performances I could remember as far as starting with adversity and being able to battle through it,” O’Sullivan said.

The win was significant for the Gators, as it was the first time the Gators have picked up a first game victory in an SEC series this season. O’Sullivan said the atmosphere in the dugout was enjoyable.

“Tonight was fun. Obviously winning is fun, but the energy level in the dugout was a lot of fun tonight,” O’Sullivan said. “They kept our guys going, and that’s all you can ask for as a coach from your players, just to give a good effort and to have good effort every day and today we did.”

First baseman Peter Alonso made his return to the Gator lineup today, going 2 for 4 with two RBIs; he had been out all season with a foot injury.  Relief pitcher Bobby Poyner also returned for the Gators, pitching the ninth inning of the Gator win.

Florida only scored in two innings.  In the fourth, Josh Tobias tripled home two runs and JJ Schwarz scored him with a ground out.  In the fifth, Alonso drove in his runs with a double.

The Gators will look to pick up a 2-0 series lead when they take on Missouri in the second game of the series today.  Listen to the game live on ESPN 850 starting at 2:55 pm.

For sound from Kevin O’Sullivan, click below.

Kevin O’Sullivan on how the weather affected the pitchers

Kevin O’Sullivan on Logan Shore’s performance

Kevin O’Sullivan talks about the team win

Kevin O’Sullivan on Dalton Guthrie’s performance

Kevin O’Sullivan says he and the team enjoyed the night