ChompTalk.com

Backed by a stellar pitching performance, the No. 7 Florida Gators dominated in-state rival No. 5 Florida State, 7-2, in front of 6,700 raucous fans at Dick Howser Stadium Tuesday night.

The Gators have won 23 of the last thirty meetings between the two programs despite the Seminoles claiming a three game sweep over Florida a year ago. FSU entered the matchup as one of two unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I baseball (Tennessee).

Florida opened the scoring in the top of the second as Luke Heyman singled up the middle to score Brendan Lawson. Lawson had led off the inning being hit by a pitch by FSU starter Eric Chrest.

The Gators added three runs in the fifth inning highlighted by Justin Nadeau’s RBI double that scored Heyman from second base.

FSU finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homer by Drew Faurot, but the Gators responded in the seventh with a massive two-run blast by Shelton in the seventh. For Shelton, it was his second homer of the year. Through seven innings, Florida led 6-1.

The Gators looked to add some insurance in the eighth inning as the first three batters of the inning reached base without swinging the bat (walk, two hit-by-pitches), however, only one run scored via an RBI groundout by Bobby Boser.

A Myles Bailey solo homer in the bottom of the ninth made it just a five run game before Alex Philpott shut the door on the ‘Noles.

Despite the offensive surge, pitching ruled the day for the Gators. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan gave the starting nod to veteran Billy Barlow. Barlow gave the Gators three innings and allowed just three runners to reach base. Florida then turned to freshman Jackson Barberi (W, 1-0) who tossed three terrific innings, surrendering just the one solo homer. Sophomores Luke McNeillie (2 IP) and Philpott (1 IP) closed out the win for the Gators.

In total, the Florida pitching staff allowed just two walks while striking out ten batters against one of the most potent offensive teams in the nation.

Offensively, Shelton (2-3 and two walks), Nadeau (2-5), and Heyman (2-4) collected multiple base hits. Landon Stripling walked three times and scored twice.

The Gators will head to Knoxville this weekend to open SEC play against the undefeated Tennessee Volunteers. The Vols head into the weekend series 17-0 and defeated West Georgia 4-2 Tuesday in midweek play.