The Florida Gators opened an important SEC series against the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores with a walk-off, run-rule victory Friday night.
Florida starting pitcher Brandon Sproat tossed six innings of scoreless ball while the offense, led by utility infielder Deric Fabian, was electric.
How It Happened:
In the second inning, Deric Fabian opened the scoring with a two-run, no-doubt blast to left-center that registered 100 mph off the bat. The Gators added to the lead later in the inning on a Wyatt Langford double down the left field line that plated Cade Kurland from first base.
Fabian added to the lead the following inning when he hit and two-run single to left-center that scored Tyler Shelnut and Luke Heyman.
In the fourth, a Jac Caglianone sacrifice fly scored Kurland before BT Riopelle homered to the opposite (left) field to increase the advantage to 8-0.
The Gators completed the run-rule victory with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh on Jac Caglianone’s two-rbi single to walk it off. Florida loaded the bases prior to Caglianone’s at-bat with walks by Michael Robertson, Kurland, and Langford.
Sproat finished the night with 97 pitches in six inning allowing five hits and three walks while striking out five. Cade Fisher pitched the seventh and got out of trouble after just 19 pitches before the offense put the finishing touches on the game.
- Kurland: 3-3, 2B, 2 BB, 3 R
- Heyman: 3-4, R
- Shelnut: 2-4, 2 2B, 2 R
- Fabian: 2-4, HR, 4 RBI, R
- Sproat: 6IP, 5 H, 0 R, 5 K, 3 BB
On Deck:
Florida and Vanderbilt will face off in game two of the series Saturday evening with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM. Hurston Waldrep (6-3, 5.07 ERA) will get the start for the Gators and will be opposed by Vandy LHP Devin Futrelle (6-2, 2.42 ERA).