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Final: Florida 7, Troy 1

Florida spent the first two nights of this weekend’s series against Troy battling early deficits to earn come from behind victories.

On Saturday, the Gators opted to score early and play with a lead on their way to a 7-1 victory to complete the three game sweep.

Florida is now 11-0 for the first time since 2002 and the team will have the opportunity to earn the program’s best start ever with a win on Tuesday.

How It Happened:

Jordan Butler opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when he doubled home Kirby McMullen.

The Gators added another two-out run in the third inning when Kendrick Calilao was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded that scored Jud Fabian. Florida however missed an opportunity to break the game open as the threat ended with just the one run crossing the plate.

In the following inning, Troy got on the board with a sacrifice fly that scored Caleb Bartolero.

The Gators tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth. Austin Langworthy was awarded home on a balk by Troy’s M Oates. Jordan Butler who moved up to second on the balk scored two batters later on Calilao’s sacrifice fly.

In the eighth, Jud Fabian broke the game wide open with a three run bomb to left that may have hit the O’Connell Center.

Armed with an early lead, freshman Hunter Barco pitched extremely well in his second act as a weekend starter.

Barco struck out nine in five innings of work while only allowing four hits and walking one.

Sophomore Christian Scott returned to the mound and delivered three innings for the Gators, allowing just one base hit.

Individual Stats:

• Barco: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
• Fabian: 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
• Langworthy: 2-5, R
• Butler: 2-3, 2B, RBI, R
• Young: 2-3

Pitching Decision:

• W: Barco (2-0)
• L: Ellis (0-1)

What’s Next:

Florida will play a pair of midweek games beginning Tuesday evening with a road contest against Florida Atlantic before taking on Florida A&M on Wednesday at the Mac.

The Gators will face South Florida in Gainesville over the weekend.