Gators defeat Miami 6-2 in series opener
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No. 8 Florida defeated in-state rival Miami 6-2 on Friday to take the series opener behind 12 total strikeouts (at least one every inning), eight hits and two homers.
The Gators erased a pair of one-run deficits in the early innings by scoring five unanswered runs, including two in the third and one run in each of the last three innings.
Florida starting pitcher Liam Peterson threw seven strikeouts and rebounded from a tough third with three straight scoreless innings, including back-to-back 1-2-3 frames.
“He did a heck of a job, and I think that’s probably the biggest takeaway for him tonight is, even after the first inning when they scored, he kind of kept it together,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He ran his pitch count up close to 30 pitches there in the first and maybe last year, he wouldn’t have been able to keep it together for six innings, and he was outstanding. He set the tone for the weekend.”
UF took its first lead in the third with homers by Brendan Lawson (3-for-4) and Bobby Boser (2-for-3). They combined for five of Florida’s eight hits and drove in two runs apiece.
“Nickname is Bobby Baseball, he does everything really well. He plays really good defense, obviously that play he made over by their dugout was outstanding. And he can hit, he can run, he’s just a heck of baseball player. He’s really good and we’re really glad he’s here,” O’Sullivan said.
“I’ve said it multiple times, [Brendan] is just an advanced hitter for his age. There’s a reason why he’s hitting in the middle of the order. We just have a true belief in his ability, and to be able to play in his first rivalry game and to have the at-bats that he had was just outstanding.”
Peterson’s performance was followed by three shutout, one-hit innings of relief from the tandem of Frank Menendez (3 strikeouts), Luke McNeillie (1 K) and Alex Philpott (1 K).
“What you say about our bullpen? Everybody kind of came in and just did their job,” O’Sullivan said, “and it was a really well pitched game on the mound for us tonight.”
The Gators (10-0) have won 10-straight games for the first time in five years. The all-time series between Florida and Miami (8-2), which dates back to 1940, is now tied 135-135-1.
Miami starting pitcher Nick Robert (2-1) suffered his first loss of the season. He allowed three earned runs over five frames on four hits and two walks while striking out seven.
Game 2 between the Gators and Hurricanes is Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on SEC Network+
Here are live updates from Friday’s game.
Florida vs. Miami Live Blog
END OF 8TH: FLORIDA 6, MIAMI 2
UF has scored in three straight innings after Bobby Boser’s team-high third hit. A 1-2-3 frame from Luke McNeillie and he struck out Jake Ogden looking. The Gators have had at least one K in every inning.
END OF 7TH: FLORIDA 5, MIAMI 2
Brendan Lawson comes through again with an RBI single to give the Gators a three-run lead. After giving up a leadoff single, Frank Menendez tossed three straight strikeouts, including the first two looking.
END OF 6TH: FLORIDA 4, MIAMI 2
The Gators walked three times and add another run on a sac fly RBI by Hayden Yost. Peterson threw his second straight 1-2-3 frame and finished with seven strikeouts, four hits, two runs and one walk in six innings pitched (95 P, 62 S).
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END OF 5TH: FLORIDA 3, MIAMI 2
Both pitchers are settling in with back-to-back scoreless innings. Peterson produced his second 1-2-3 frame of the game and a one-out walk leads nothing for the Gators as Roberts threw his seventh K.
END OF 4TH: FLORIDA 3, MIAMI 2
Peterson responded with a scoreless frame, throwing his sixth strikeout and giving up his fourth hit. Another 1-2-3 frame for UM pitcher Nick Robert with one K. He’s also up to six strikeouts.
END OF 3RD: FLORIDA 3, MIAMI 2
Bobby Boser blasted a solo shot to left field to tie the game and then Brendan Lawson homered to center field to give the Gators their first lead. The Canes scored after Peterson gave up a leadoff single, a hit by pitch, an intentional walk and his second earned run on a wild pitch. He did throw his fifth K for the third out.
END OF 2ND: FLORIDA 1, MIAMI 1
UF loaded the bases with a hit by pitch and back-to-back hits by Cade Kurland and Miami transfer Blake Cyr, and then tied the score when Luke Heyman was walked. Peterson had two more Ks in the second.
END OF 1ST: MIAMI 1, FLORIDA 0
Miami took the lead on an RBI single by Jake Ogden to plate Daniel Cuvet, who had a double. Florida pitcher Liam Peterson tossed two strikeouts in the first. UM’s Nick Robert had a 1-2-3 frame with one K.
Florida-Miami Pitching Matchups
| Friday | 6:30 ET (SECN+) | Saturday | 4:30 ET (SECN+) | Sunday | 1 ET (SECN+) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | RHP Nick Robert (2-0, 0.90 ERA) | RHP Griffin Hugus (2-0, 1.50 ERA) | RHP Brian Walter (2-0, 0.82 ERA) |
| Florida | RHP Liam Peterson (2-0, 0.00 ERA) | LHP Pierce Coppola (2-0, 1.80 ERA) | RHP Jake Clemente (1-0, 1.80 ERA) |
Florida Gators Starting Lineup
1. CF Kyle Jones
2. 3B Bobby Boser
3. SS Colby Shelton
4. DH Brody Donay
5. 1B Brendan Lawson
6. 2B Cade Kurland
7. LF Blake Cyr
8. C Luke Heyman
9. RF Ty Evans
SP: RHP Liam Peterson
Florida-Miami Game Notes
* The Gators are coming off midweek victories at Stetson (6-1) and against North Florida (7-6) at home. Two freshmen earned their first-career victories in the contests, as right-handed pitcher Aidan King (1-0) threw three shutout innings at Stetson before right-hander Caden McDonald secured the win against North Florida by recording all three outs in the ninth en route to a wild finish.
* The Gators’ 9-0 start is the team’s best since the 2020 campaign (16-0). Florida’s nine-game winning streak is the team’s longest since winning nine in a row from March 5-17, 2023. If the Gators reach 10-straight wins, it would mark the program’s longest since the aforementioned 16-game streak to open the 2020 season.
* This weekend’s rivalry meeting will see two pairs of former USA Baseball teammates reunite on the diamond. Peterson suited up with Miami’s Daniel Cuvet this past summer as members of the 2024 USA Collegiate National Team. Going back more than one decade, righty Christian Rodriguez played alongside Dorian Gonzalez of the Canes with the USA Baseball 12U Team in 2014.
* Miami is coming off a 27-30 season, falling just short of the ACC Championship Game to Duke. The Canes are starting the 2025 campaign off with a 7-1 record, featuring wins against Princeton and Niagara while their lone loss was to FAU in Boca Raton, Fla. The team has a lot of newcomers this year, with their 36-man roster containing 29 new faces (16 transfers and 13 freshman). Offensively, Miami has slashed .293/.419/.436 with six home runs and 11 stolen bases. The Canes’ pitching staff wields a 1.17 ERA and 96 strikeouts to 25 walks over 69 frames. Defensively, Miami has committed five errors for a .981 fielding percentage on the season.
