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Following it’s worst performance of the season, the Florida Gators baseball team put on a show for the fans on Thursday. The Gators pounced early and often en route to a 13-4 victory over Texas A&M to open SEC play.

How It Happened:

Florida struck first with three runs in the third. Nathan Hickey singled through the hole on the right side that scored Mac Guscette. Kirby McMullen followed with a single to left that plated Colby Halter and Jacob Young.

A solo homer by Ty Coleman in the top of the fourth was really the only mistake that Tommy Mace made on the night.

Even then, the Gators responded in the bottom half of the frame as Colby Halter crushed a two-run homer to right. In total, Florida would put up a five spot in the inning.

The Gators defense let Mace down in the sixth as TAMU struck for three runs, but only one was an earned run due to an error by Kirby McMullen. Jacob Young slipped in right field and was unable to recover in time to make a routine catch which allowed Austin Bost to reach second with an RBI double.

Once again, the Gators responded right away, plating four more runs in the bottom half of the sixth. Jud Fabian crushed a pitch to right center, a three run bomb that completed the scoring for the night.

As for Mace, he tossed 106 pitches in seven innings of work. He gave up two earned runs and struck out 11 while walking no one. Ryan Cabarcas threw a perfect eighth inning and Brandon Sproat closed the game out in the ninth.

Pitching Decision

• W: Mace (4-0)
• L: Dustin Saenz (3-2)

Individual Stats:

• Guscette: 4-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R
• Hickey: 3-4, 2B, RBI, R, BB
• Fabian: 2-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
• Halter: 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, BB
• Mace: 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 11 K, 0 BB

What’s Next:
Florida continues it SEC Opening Weekend series with Texas A&M. Jack Leftwich will toe the rubber for the Gators. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM.