Florida baseball failed to produce enough offense in its opening-series loss to No. 22 Miami at Alex Rodriguez Park on Friday. The No. 14 Gators managed to put plenty of runners on base by earning eight walks, but couldn’t cash in for more than two runs. They only recorded seven hits and left 12 runners on base, striking out 12 times in a 5-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
It was a pitcher’s duel between the Gators and Hurricanes over the opening three frames. Miami struck first in the fourth inning after a lead-off single when third baseman Yohandy Morales blasted a two-run bomb to left field off of Florida ace Hunter Barco.
The Jacksonville, Florida, native came back down to earth after cruising through his first two starts where he struck out 23 batters in 12 innings. He pitched five innings, giving up seven hits and four earned runs.
The Gators threatened in the next half inning with a two-out rally. Third baseman Deric Fabian singled up the middle, then second baseman Colby Halter and center fielder Jud Fabian reached via a hit by pitch and a full-count walk, respectively. However, left fielder Sterlin Thompson whiffed on three straight sliders for his third strikeout of the night.
Miami added two insurance runs the following inning using aggressive base running. The Hurricanes’ Dominic Pitelli stole third and hooked a left turn toward home plate after first baseman CJ Kayfus hit a 7-foot dribbler toward the mound. Florida catcher Mac Guscette scooped it up and threw out Kayfus but first baseman Kendrick Calilao’s return throw home wasn’t in time. Morales then doubled to score another run to make it 4-0.
Florida finally made Miami pay for its free passes in the seventh. Deric and Halter kicked it off with back-to-back walks. After a Jud strikeout, Thompson singled through the ride side to score the younger Fabian. Left fielder Wyatt Langford followed and ripped an RBI single to left to drive in Halter. Thompson and Langford then advanced when designated hitter BT Riopelle struck out on a wild pitch. Shortstop Josh Rivera ended Florida’s attempt to tie the game when he failed to catch up to several Hurricanes’ fastballs.
Miami increased its lead again in the bottom half of the seventh, capitalizing on two errors by catcher Rene Lastres to 5-2.
Florida will try to bounce back on Saturday at 6 p.m. EST on ACC Network where lefty Brandon Sproat will get the start.
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