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Entering the bottom half of th sixth inning, Florida trailed the No. 2 ranked Commodores 10-2 and it looked like the game was over. However, Vanderbilt had to call upon its bullpen for the final four innings and ultimately eked out the victory, 11-7.

The Gators were unable to capitalize on a pedestrian performance by potential No. 1 draft pick Kumar Rocker (5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 4 BB, 3 WP), party because they dug a deep enough hole to make it virtually impossible to climb out of.

Due to rain in Gainesville, the series opener began approximately thirty minutes late. Franco Aleman got the start, but he was erratic early on. He led the game off with a pair of walks, both of which would score. Somehow, getting out of the first allowing just two runs seemed like a major win for Florida.

Vanderbilt, however made it a 6-0 game in the second. It seemed that if Aleman did find the strike zone, the Commodores were knocking it all around the park. A double, a single, a RBI single was the way they led off the second before adding several more runs and essentially putting the game out of reach.

After Vandy added another run in the fourth, the Gators got on the scoreboard in the bottom portion of the inning as Kris Armstrong smashed a homer beyond the berm in right (he had just missed one in the first inning that swung just foul). But as has been the case all year, Vanderbilt rebounded to score via a two run longball.

The Gators got one back in the fifth on an RBI groundout by Nathan Hickey, but, yet again, Vandy followed with a run of their own.

Florida finally put something together in the eighth, entering the inning facing a 11-4 deficit.

The Gators put up three runs, highlighted by Jacob Young’s solo homer. Josh Rivera was up with two on and two out representing the run that could bring the Gators within one. He struck out. On the game, Florida was just 4-16 with runners in scoring position.

Pitching Decision:

• W: Rocker (10-1)
• L: Aleman (1-2)

Individual Stats:

• Hickey: 3-5, RBI, R, BB
• Halter: 2-3, RBI, R, 2 BB
• Armstrong: 2-5, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R
• Young: 2-6, HR, RBI, 2 R
• Aleman: 5 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 4 K, 2 BB

On Deck:

Florida and Vanderbilt are set for game two on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 PM. Jack Leiter is expected to start against Tommy Mace.