Almost two months after being kicked off UF's baseball team, Stephen Locke was officially allowed back on the team Tuesday.
In only his second game back on the roster, Locke made his first appearance, starting in UF's 5-3 home win against North Florida on Wednesday.
He lasted two innings and allowed 1 run on one hit before being pulled because of his pitch count.
"This was a good first appearance," Locke said. "(UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan) wanted me to get out there and knock the rust off since I really hadn't faced many hitters this spring."
Locke was replaced on the mound by Justin Poovey, who hadn't pitched since March 13 at Arkansas when he allowed 4 runs in 2 1/3 innings, but he fared much better against the Ospreys.
Poovey only allowed four base runners in his 4 2/3 innings of scoreless work.
The run support the Gators (15-8, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) were missing in their 3-0 loss to North Florida on Tuesday night started to return with one swing of the bat by Matt den Dekker.
Den Dekker's solo shot got things started for the Gators, and he has been getting the team going since he has been its leadoff hitter.
"Ever since we moved him to the leadoff spot, he has been a much better hitter," O'Sullivan said. "He is using the left side of the field a lot better. Sometimes you put a guy in the leadoff spot, he is more comfortable. Sometimes you put them in the three or four spot, and they think they have to do something differently."
In the bottom of the third, den Dekker lined a solo homer over the right-field fence to tie the game at 1.
UF took the lead in the next inning on a single by Brandon McArthur, scoring Avery Barnes.
While den Dekker continued his success at the plate and the Gators managed to rebound from their tough loss Tuesday, it was Locke's two innings that stole that show.
On Jan. 28, he was kicked off the team after being arrested on DUI charges, but rumors of his return to the team began to swirl when the charges against him were dropped earlier this month due to a lack of evidence.
With a need for more experienced pitchers, bringing back the senior lefty was an easy solution to the problem.
"He gives us one more veteran arm," O'Sullivan said. "It should help us certainly in conference play."
Before he could return, O'Sullivan wanted to make sure the torn ACL in Locke's right knee was fully recovered.
Locke said he was cleared by the doctors Monday and his right leg was stronger than his left in many of the tests.
During his time away from the team, Locke continued to throw on his own four to five times a week, and he will be counted on this weekend to pitch out of the bullpen.
The first time he walked into the team's locker room, it was one more step to getting back to his old life.
"It was exciting. I was finally getting back to my comfort zone," Locke said. "I've played baseball every year of my life, so it was good to be back involved with daily routine."
