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The Gators hopped out to a 3-0 lead through two innings at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Sunday after a pair of South Carolina errors allowed Florida second baseman Hannah Adams and center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey to score in the bottom of the first and third baseman Charla Echols drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the second.

Senior right-hander Natalie Lugo started in the circle for the Gators and hurled 5.2 shutout innings barring South Carolina catcher Jordan Fabian’s solo shot in the top of the fourth. Sunday’s win marked Lugo’s sixth win in the month of April.

Florida scored a run in the bottom of the fourth after three free passes loaded the bases for Echols, who drove in shortstop Sarah Longley a sacrifice fly into right field.

Florida southpaw Katie Chronister relieved Lugo of her pitching duties with two outs in the top of the sixth and struck out the first bater she faced to end the inning. In the seventh, Chronister surrendered a run on a pair of doubles, but the Gainesville native settled in and recorded the final three outs to send the Gamecocks home in defeat.

Final (R/H/E)

South Carolina: 2 / 7 / 3

No. 3 Florida: 4 / 4 / 1

Pitching Decision

Win: Lugo (13-1)

Loss: Vaughan (2-2)

Save: Chronister (5)

Individual Stats (season totals)

Lugo: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (1.30 ERA)

Chronister: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (2.22 ERA)

1. Adams: 1-4, 1 R, 2 SB (.404 BA)
2. Lindsey: 0-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB (.339 BA)
3. Echols: 0-2, 2 RBI, 1 BB (.356 BA)
4. Lindaman: 1-3, 1 RBI (.316 BA)
5. Cottrill: 1-3 (.293 BA)
6. Matthews 0-2 (.196 BA)
7. Hoover: 0-3 (.240 BA)
8. Longley: 0-2, 1 R, 1 BB (.175 BA)
9. A. Goelz: 1-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SB (.267 BA)

Next Up

The Gators will return to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Wednesday as they welcome Florida A&M for a non-conference tilt. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.