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Final: Florida 8, Texas A&M 4

The Florida Gators are 3-0 to open SEC play for the first time since 2016 after an 8-4 win over Texas A&M on Saturday.

Backed by a powerhouse offense and strong efforts on the mound by Hunter Barco and Franco Aleman, the Gators improved to 16-5 overall on the season.

How It Happened:

Florida got on the scoreboard early after back to back singles to lead off the game put runners on first and third. A throwing error by TAMU starter Jonathan Childress allowed Jacob Young to score.

The Gators added three more in the third on a Kirby McMullen homer to left center that increased the advantage to 4-0. In the fifth, Jud Fabian scored on a fielder’s choice by Jordan Butler.

A&M got one back in the sixth on a single from Blaum.

Florida, however, responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame on a Colby Halter double.

After cruising through six innings, Barco ran out of steam in the seventh. He allowed the bases to be loaded and an RBI single to Bost before being pulled for Aleman. A passed ball allowed another run to score, but the Gators were able to get out of the jam with a 6-3 lead.

Once again, the Gators proved resilient and struck for two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. Jud Fabian crushed a solo homer and Mac Guscette roped an RBI single to left center that scored Cory Acton.

The Aggies scored on a sacrifice fly in the ninth, but it was too little, too late for Texas A&M.

Pitching Decision:

• W: Barco (3-1)
• L: Childress (2-2)
• S: Aleman (3)

Individual Stats:

• Fabian: 3-4, HR, RBI, 2 R, BB
• McMullen: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, R, BB
• Hickey: 2-5, R
• Barco: 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 9 K, 0 BB
• Aleman: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 K, 0 BB

On Deck:

The Gators will head to Columbia, SC next weekend for a three game series with the Gamecocks that opens Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM.

The Gamecocks are 11-7 on the season and were swept by Vanderbilt over the weekend. On Sunday, South Carolina was no-hit by Jack Leiter, who recorded 16 strikeouts in the no-no.