The Gators and the Tigers each scored a combined eight runs in the two games played on Saturday, but only one team ended the day with two victories.
After starting the weekend off with a bang Friday, the series opener was suspended due to thunderstorms with No. 6 Florida (30-11, 14-6 Southeastern Conference) up 7-0 in the fifth inning. The game was resumed from that point after Saturday’s matchup.
UF used another stellar pitching performance from freshman Hudson Randall to top No. 15 LSU (32-12, 11-9 SEC) 7-3 in the first game of the day and then held off the Tigers 8-5 in the continuation of Friday’s game to clinch the series against the defending national champions.
LSU right fielder Mikie Mahtook hit Randall’s first pitch of the game for a solo home run to lead off the first game of the day, but the rocky start didn’t shake the freshman pitcher.
“That first pitch killed me. I was pissed that I left that one up, but I got over it and settled down” Randall said. “When they (LSU) started talking after they hit that, it kind of helped me out because I used it and I just felt better after they started talking and I started shutting them down.”
Randall went on to throw eight innings, which tied a career-high, and did not allow another run while he struck out a career-high seven hitters.
The right-hander (111 pitches) had an opportunity to go for the complete game after escaping the eighth in only 14 pitches, but UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan opted to use the bullpen in the ninth instead.
UF’s offense gave Randall more run support than he would need.
Right fielder Daniel Pigott scored the first two runs of the game for the Gators off of RBIs from seniors Jonathan Pigott and Matt den Dekker.
From there Florida used some small ball to get onto the scoreboard.
In the fourth Jonathan scored a run for UF after reaching base on a walk, advancing to third on a bunt hit from freshman Nolan Fontana, and then finally scoring off of a bases loaded free pass from LSU pitcher Chris Matulis. While Fontana later scored the second run of the frame thanks to two fielder’s choice that allowed the speedster to advance around the bases.
The Gators then scored three more run in the fifth with the help of two sacrifice flies from second baseman Josh Adams and Fontana.
The bottom four hitters in Florida’s batting order combined to go six for 12 with four RBIs and four runs scored.
“I really like the way we are swinging the bats,” O’Sullivan said. “I think the story from the first two games (of the series) is the bottom half of the order. We are getting a lot of production from the seven, eight and nine spots, and when you are able to do that there are no give away innings.”
After shutting down the Tigers in the first game of the day, it wasn’t as easy when the two teams resumed Friday’s matchup.
Coming into the game with a 7-0 lead that was built in the 4.5 innings played on Friday, the Gators struggled to maintain their control on the game.
LSU burst out of the gates with four runs in the sixth off of reliever Greg Larson, who did not record an out in his rough outing Saturday.
“I just think it was one of those outings. You go in there with a certain mentality when you are up by a lot of runs – you pound the strike zone,” catcher Mike Zunino said. “They put some good swings on some ball. It was just tough for him to settle down right away.”
But UF closer Kevin Chapman limited the damage as he nailed down the win for the Gators with 2.2 scoreless innings to earn his team-leading eighth save of the season.
Florida will go for the sweep of LSU Sunday at 1 p.m. Freshman Brian Johnson will be on the mound for the Gators. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
