Florida beats No. 1 Texas in rubber match to win fifth straight series
For the first time since 2016, the Florida Gators won a series against the nation’s No. 1 team with their 4-1 victory at Texas in Sunday’s rubber match. It marked UF’s fifth straight series win in SEC play.
Florida freshman Aidan King pitched a gem, throwing seven scoreless innings with four 1-2-3 frames and set new career highs for strikeouts (9) and pitches (110) with 70 strikes, two hits and three walks.
The Gators scored four runs on eight hits, including Brody Donay’s solo shot in the sixth inning — their only homer of the series — and two-out RBI singles by Blake Cyr (3rd) and Luke Heyman (7th).
Below are live updates from the Gators (35-18, 13-14 SEC) vs. Texas (40-10, 19-8 SEC).
Florida vs. Texas Live Blog
End of 9th: Florida 4, Texas 1
After a 1-2-3 frame from Texas closer Thomas Burns, Clemente closed out the game with two strikeouts in the ninth (four total Ks). He allowed a single and a walk with the tying run at the plate, but Jonah Williams was tagged out at third for the final out.
End of 8th: Florida 4, Texas 1
Justin Nadeau had a two-out double but Wilson was thrown out at home on the play. Jake Clemente replaced King and threw three straight two-out walks, with the third scoring a run for Texas, but he got out of the jam with his second strikeout and the bases loaded.
End of 7th: Florida 4, Texas 0
Heyman hit a two-out RBI single to give the Gators a big insurance run. King fanned three in a row for the third consecutive inning, eclipsing 100 pitches and setting a new career high with nine strikeouts.
End of 6th: Florida 3, Texas 0
Brody Donay hit his 14th homer of the season, and Florida’s first of the series, to give the Gators a three-run lead. King hurled his second straight 1-2-3 frame.
End of 5th: Florida 2, Texas 0
It was three up and three down for both pitchers with a pair of strikeouts apiece. King is now up to six Ks and 78 pitches (49 strikes) with two hits and three walks.
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End of 4th: Florida 2, Texas 0
King gave up two hits but struck out the leadoff batter for his fourth K and tossed his fourth scoreless frame. Grubbs pitched a 1-2-3 frame for the Longhorns.
End of 3rd: Florida 2, Texas 0
Boser was hit by another pitch and then scored on Cyr’s RBI single up the middle. Luke Heyman also singled, and the Longhorns pulled Jason Flores for RHP Max Grubbs. King retired eight in a row.
End of 2nd: Florida 1, Texas 0
After the Gators reached on back-to-back walks, Ashton Wilson grounded out to score Blake Cyr. King tossed a 1-2-3 frame with two strikeouts, catching the leadoff batter looking.
End of 1st: Florida 0, Texas 0
Bobby Boser, who was hit by pitch in the leadoff spot, was thrown out at home for the final out after a two-single from Ty Evans. Aidan King walked the first two batters, but both were left stranded on second and third.
Florida Gators Starting Lineup
1. SS Bobby Boser
2. 3B Brendan Lawson
3. C Luke Heyman
4. DH Ty Evans
5. LF Blake Cyr
6. 1B Brody Donay
7. CF Hayden Yost
8. RF Ashton Wilson
9. 2B Justin Nadeau
SP: RHP Aidan King
