It was a night of firsts for Matt den Dekker.
He got his first career start at pitcher, his first strikeout, his first walk and his first career hit batter. Unfortunately for him, he didn't stay in the game long enough to record his first career win. The sophomore pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed five hits and three walks with just one strikeout.
UF (7-2) on the other hand, earned its seventh victory of the season after shellacking Campbell 15-3 in the first half of their two-game series Tuesday night. The Gators and the Fighting Camels (3-4) complete the series Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Den Dekker's performance was shaky at best, but the Gators expect him to play a key role in the pitching staff.
"I'm definitely going to be needed down the road to help the team," den Dekker said. "I've got to give them some innings with us playing four or five games a week, so I've definitely got to be able to give us some innings."
The start of the game was delayed by a half-hour because of rain, but that didn't keep the Gators from scorching McKethan Stadium.
Every UF starter recorded a hit, and the Gators finished with 17 hits on the night.
Despite what the final score suggests, the game didn't start very smoothly for the Gators. Den Dekker struggled with his control in the first inning, allowing three singles, a walk and three runs.
"I've got to throw my pitches for strikes," den Dekker said. "I've got to throw them for strikes early. That's the key to getting better; working on some things, throwing for more strikes and having better command."
Den Dekker also contributed at the plate, finishing 3 of 5 with two RBIs and scoring three runs.
Avery Barnes was nearly flawless.
The left fielder finished the game 3 for 3, scored four runs, drew two walks and stole a base.
"I'm just trying to stay focused up at the plate," he said. "I'm trying to have a quality at-bat every time. My plan every at-bat is to try and get on base for my teammates."
Barnes, who leads the team with a .438 batting average, scored UF's first run in the bottom of the first on a Cole Figueroa sacrifice fly to left-center field. He didn't wait very long to score again. The sophomore scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the second on a Figueroa two-run double to right field. That was Figueroa's only hit of the game, but he still managed to drive in four runs.
Senior Josh Edmondson (1-0) earned the win for the Gators. The senior pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowed just two hits and struck out three batters.
Entering the season, UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said that UF would be reliant on stellar play from its defense to make up for a pitching staff that lacks a power pitcher. UF's defense responded Tuesday, turning five double plays.
"We've got to play good defense," O'Sullivan said. "If we do that, we've got a chance to stay in every game."
