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In the bottom of the ninth, the Florida Gators were reeling against the North Florida Osprey. Tied 6-6, it was the closest the Gators had come to a loss all season. But with the bases loaded and one out, the Gators were just as close to victory.

Freshman infielder Brendan Lawson would tip the scales in Florida’s favor, reaching home on a wild pitch to secure the win.

“It was one of those things you can’t practice,” said Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. “So we have to go through it.”

No. 8 Florida (9-0) defeated UNF (6-3) 7-6 Wednesday night to go 2-0 on the weekend. Freshman righty Caden McDonald was awarded the win with 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 5 BF and 18 TP.

The Gators got on the board in their first plate appearances of the night. Sophomore outfielder Hayden Yost led off with a double and was sent home on an RBI single from Colby Shelton. UF led 1-0 after one.

Freshman right-hander Jackson Barberi got his first collegiate start for Florida but was pulled after just 2.1 innings. He walked and struck out three batters each and allowed one hit and zero runs. Left-hander Niko Janssens took over as just the second southpaw out of the Gators bullpen this season.

The freshman would record his first strikeout to close the inning. The score remained a 1-0 Florida advantage after three innings.

Florida’s scoring efforts resumed in the bottom fourth inning. Cade Kurland and Landon Stripling hit Lawson around the diamond with a pair of singles. Then, Blake Cyr singled to potentially load the bases before a throwing error scored Kurland.

After four, the Gators found themselves up 3-0.

Janssens debut was shut down 2.1 innings in after he gave up two singles in the fifth. Fellow first-year lefty McCall Biemiller entered the game — for the first time in his career — with two outs and two runners in scoring position before walking the bases loaded. He’d eventually force the fly out to keep UNF off the board.

Biemiller would be pulled after giving up a two-out walk in the sixth. Florida would go back to a right-hander, redshirt freshman Christian Rodriguez, out of the bullpen. He’d blow one by for the final out of the frame and keep it a clean slate for the Gators.

Rodriguez was relieved after giving up two hits in the seventh. Lefty Frank Menendez replaced him for his second appearance of the year with runners on the corners and one out. He’d let up a sacrifice fly to put the Osprey on the board. UNF’s fourth single of the inning would make it 3-2, and Menendez was pulled for sophomore right-hander Matthew Jenkins.

He’d hit a batter to load the bases before punching the final out of the frame.

UNF’s defense fell apart in the bottom seventh, allowing a run on a pair of errors. Then, Brody Donay happened. The junior slugger sent his fifth bomb of the year over the right outfield wall to socre two runs and make it a 6-2 lead.

“Games like this are important to go through,” said O’Sullivan.

In the top of the ninth, needing three more outs, the Gators let up a run and loaded the bases as McDonald came in for Jenkins to potentially finish the job. He ended up allowing a three-run double to tie the game at 6-6 before the Gators could get out of the inning.

Despite the late-game drama, Lawson secured the winning run in the end.

Up next, Florida will host in-state rival Miami in a three game series. First pitch Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will stream on ESPN SEC Network+.