Box Score (PDF)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In front of 1,674 fans at Harmon Stadium, No. 1 Florida (13-1) broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the eighth inning with a four-run rally and held on for the 6-2 victory. North Florida (6-7) led through the first four innings behind a strong starting pitching performance by freshman
Austin Drury.
Drury was spotted a 2-0 lead early thanks to a
Corbin Olmstead home run in the bottom of the first. Before Florida starting pitcher Dane Dunning threw 10 pitches, he found himself a 2-0 hole.
Kyle Brooks worked a lead-off walk and Olmstead belted a 2-2 fastball over left center field. The long ball was his second of the season.
Drury was impressive early and faced the minimum through three innings. He struck out four batters through the first four innings. His defense behind him turned two crucial double plays, one in the second and another in the fourth to help keep the high-powered Gators off the scoreboard. The clutch twin killings were two of the three turned by the Ospreys on the night. They lead the A-Sun with 15 double plays this season.
With the game tied at two, Drury exited in the sixth inning after issuing a lead-off walk. He finished the day with five innings pitched, allowed just four hits and was charged with two runs. It is the second-straight start the freshman lefty has pitched into the sixth inning.
Despite the first inning mishap, Florida's Dunning was lights out for the Gators. He went on to fan 10 batters in six innings pitched. After allowing two runners on in the third, including Brooks' fourth double of 2016, the right-hander settled in. He retired the 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Prior to Dunning's 10 strikeout performance, the Ospreys, as a team, have only struck out 10 or more times twice in the last two seasons.
Dunning left with a no decision but threw six brilliant innings, allowing two runs on four hits.
The Gators put together a four-run, game-deciding rally in the top of the eighth. Back-to-back, one-out RBI singles by J.J. Schwarz then Peter Alonso gave Florida a 4-2 advantage. The knockout blow came off the bat of Mike Rivera who brought home two runs on a single through the right side with two outs.
Florida reliever Kirby Snead needed only 18 pitches in three innings to record the victory. He did not surrender a hit and sat down all nine batters he faced.
Osprey catcher
Keith Skinner maintained his torrent pace at the plate, going 2-for-4. He is now hitting a team-best, .444 on the season.
Four Florida players recorded multiple hit efforts including leadoff man Dalton Guthrie who was 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Buddy Reed, Alonso and Rivera each registered two-hit nights.
The victory for Florida is its first ever at Harmon Stadium. Prior to the contest the Gators were 0-2 at the home of the Ospreys which included a 10-5 loss as the nation's No. 1 team in 2012.
The Ospreys will hit the road for the first time since mid-February tomorrow evening to face the same Gators in Gainesville. First pitch at McKethan Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be carried live on the SEC Network+ and available on the WatchESPN app.
