Arkansas pitcher Jarrod McKinney isn't on the soccer team, but he showed some kicking ability Sunday.
With the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the eighth and a runner on third, McKinney struck out on a pitch in the dirt from Patrick Keating (2-3, 3.57 ERA). On his way to first, he booted the ball away from UF catcher Buddy Munroe, allowing Ben Tschepikow to score from third, carrying the No. 18 Razorbacks to a 4-2 win and completing the sweep of the Gators (9-7, 0-3 Southeastern Conference) in Fayetteville, Ark.
Arguments from Munroe, Keating and UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan - who was ejected for arguing - proved futile. Home-plate umpire Joe Marion was unwilling to listen to any complaints about McKinney's kicking and did not request help from his other umpires.
"All he had to do was ask for some help, and he may have gotten the call right," UF assistant coach Brad Weitzel said. "But the runner that scored we walked to lead off the inning, so we got to go back to that point first instead of blaming it on the umpire."
The Gators got an outstanding start from freshmen lefty Nick Maronde, who struck out five and allowed just 1 earned run over five innings.
But the team could not give Maronde much run support or defensive help.
The defense committed six errors, including two each by third baseman Mike Mooney and Munroe, who didn't enter the game until the eighth.
"Maronde pitched out of some jams and pitched through some poor defense," Weitzel said. "This is a beautiful field. There is no way you can make six errors on a beautiful field like this."
Maronde's quality outing was the first UF got from a starter this weekend.
Billy Bullock (0-1, 1.84 ERA) made his first start this season Friday and lasted only 3 1/3 innings before being yanked. He gave up 6 runs, including 4 unearned because of an error he made on a suicide squeeze attempt, and the Gators dropped the opening game 11-4.
Saturday's starter, Alex Panteliodis (2-2, 6.50 ERA), couldn't even make it out of the second inning before being relieved because of the 5 runs he allowed in the Gators' 8-4 loss.
Despite the disappointing outing by the starters, UF's bats couldn't get much going, either. Entering Sunday's game, the Gators were near the bottom of every offensive category in the SEC.
Outfielders Avery Barnes and Riley Cooper were the only UF players to record at least one hit in each game this weekend. They provided the Gators with a little bit of power, each smacking a solo home run in the series - Cooper on Friday and Barnes on Sunday.
After a great opening weekend against then-No. 23 Louisville, UF has now dropped six straight against ranked opponents - Miami is currently No. 13 and Arkansas is No. 18.
Unlike after getting swept by the Hurricanes, the Gators will have to face tough competition again right away with a meeting with perennial powerhouse Florida State in Gainesville on Tuesday night.
"We got to get it turned around tomorrow (in practice) and get after the 'Noles on Tuesday at our place," Weitzel said.
