Gators baseball shuts out Ole Miss 4-0 to take series

At 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning, Gator freshman pitcher Danny Young found out he was starting on the mound for the Gators in the game later that afternoon. Between Young and sophomore Johnny Magliozzi, they combined to a four hit shutout to claim the rubber match against the Ole Miss Rebels 4-0. On Saturday, Florida blanked the Rebels 4-0, giving Gator pitching back to back shutouts for the first time since March 2010.

The Gators scored in the first inning with two out. Sophomore Taylor Gushue hit an infield single and went to second on a throwing error by Rebels third baseman Andrew Mistone. Sophomore Justin Shafer reached on an error which also moved Gushue to third, and a wild pitch by Ole Miss starting pitcher Chris Ellis allowed Gushue to score.

Florida missed a great chance to score in the second inning. Sophomore Connor Mitchell drew a lead off walk, and designated hitter Mike Fahrman followed with a double. Cody Dent walked to load the bases, but Casey Turgeon hit a short fly to right and Harrison Bader hit into a double play to end the inning.

Gator coach Kevin O’Sullivan said that even though they didn’t score in the second inning, they came back strong in the third.

Gushue started the third inning with a walk, then went to third on a double by Shafer, and Gushue scored on a throwing error by Tanner Mathis. A sacrifice bunt by Zack Powers landed Shafer on third, and Vickash Ramjit slammed a 1-0 pitch out of the park to extend Florida’s lead 4-0. O’Sullivan said the homer gave the team some momentum.

From there, Young and Magliozzi took over on the mound. Young got his first win of the year as he pitched into the sixth inning.

The Gators are now 13-16 in the season and 4-5 in SEC play. O’Sullivan said that it’s been a tough season, but this was a big step in the right direction.

UF will host UCF Tuesday night at 7 p.m. You can catch all the action beginning at 6:55 p.m. on ESPN Radio 850/900.