Gators post double-digit hits, take a win on the road at UNF
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the third game in a row, the No. 14 Florida Gators (7-2) slugged double-digit hits on the way to an 11-2 win over UNF on the road.
Brandon Sproat drew the start for the second week in a row against UNF. This week Sproat was on a tight pitch count but continued his dominance during midweek games. With pierce Coppola already missing one start Sproat would be the next man up on the weekend.
“His demeanor is different. He’s attacking. He’s in a really good spot. If he continues to throw the way he’s been throwing right now it’s going to be a huge help moving forward. We kept him on a strict count,” O’Sullivan told Gators Online when asked about Sproat. “I know he’s (Pierce) is going to get looked at again tomorrow. We’ll figure it out.”
Sproat allowed just one hit through the first two innings and notched a strikeout, while putting up zeroes. There wasn’t much offense from either side through a fast-paced first three innings. Colby Halter collected a hit to start the game ut a flyout and a double play ended any threat there. The Gators went down in order in the second frame and only had just Deric Fabian’s single to show for offense in the third.
However, Florida would plate runs in each of the final six innings Tuesday night on the road.
Jud Fabian singled to start the fourth and moved to third on a one-out single by Wyatt Langford. A walk loaded the bases and Josh Rivera broke open the scoring, bringing Fabian and Langford home with a single through the left side.
The Gators would score three in the fourth inning, two in the fifth one in the sixth and seventh and two in the eighth and ninth innings. The scoring was highlighted by a trio of home runs from Sterlin Thompson, Deric Fabian, and Josh Rivera.
The Gators pitching allowed just two runs on the night.
“I thought we were ready to play tonight. I mentioned it to the players at the end there that we’re not going to look past FAMU tomorrow,” Kevin O’Sullivan said. “We obviously have a big weekend coming up. We were pleased with the way they came out tonight and focused tonight.”
The Gators will host FAMU on Wednesday night at Florida Ballpark before heading down to Coral Gables for a three-game set with Miami.
Deric Fabian’s career night
The younger of the Fabian brothers had himself a career night. The Florida third baseman went 3-4 with his first career home run.
Somewhat lost in his night at the plate is his defense. Fabian made three really nice plays over at the hot corner Tuesday night and has been a vacuum all season.
“He had a really good game. He made some really nice plays defensively. Sometimes that gets overlooked,” O’Sullivan said after the game. “He’s been really good defensively for us the entire year so far. I think he had three hits and his first home run. He had a really good night.”
Gators beat UNF 11-2 box score
