After Sunday’s game ended, clay dotted the right side of Cody Dent’s uniform from his chest to his cleats.
His Oakley glasses shined in the afternoon sun. He smiled as he gestured to his family in the stands.
Dent had a weekend worth smiling about.
He saved his best game for last.
Dent picked up his sixth career multi-hit game in Florida’s season-opening series finale against Duke on Sunday at McKethan Stadium.
He stroked a hanging curveball from Blue Devils starter James Marvel over right fielder Jeff Kremer’s head during the second inning.
The Boynton Beach native followed his second career double by singling home Josh Tobias four frames later.
Dent crossed home plate himself in Sunday’s game, scoring on an RBI single from Kevin Stypulkowski in the bottom of the eighth.
The stats read 3 for 8 with two RBI and a run in three games from his familiar ninth spot. Dent led all starters with a .375 average.
Blue Devils coach Chris Pollard even brought in lefty specialist Remy Janco on Saturday to face Dent during the fourth inning.
“He had a great weekend,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He’s earned the opportunity to move up. I thought about moving him up yesterday and today, but he’s been swinging the bat really good. I didn’t want to disrupt the lineup very much, but I’m really pleased with how he swung the bat this weekend.”
Finding success at the plate has been rough for Dent. He had a career .180 average during his first three seasons as a Gator.
But a swing adjustment in the summer helped him.
Former Major Leaguer Bucky Dent, Cody’s father, said the senior should use a leg kick during his swing. Cody went to work, and the Florida coaching staff approved.
So far, so good.
“It has helped with my timing a lot more,” Dent said.
“I get timed up for a fastball, and I won’t swing at a breaking ball until two strikes. I was getting stopped. My rhythm was getting interrupted (last year).”
His bat isn’t the only changed aspect of his game.
With Daniel Pigott playing professional baseball and Tyler Thompson foregoing his senior season for personal reasons, the Gators needed a center fielder.
Dent backed up Tobias at third last season. He made just one start in center in 2012 and never played outfield until arriving at Florida.
Despite his inexperience, Dent didn’t make an error in 10 chances during the weekend.
Dent didn’t show any nerves in the field or at the plate.
Dent went 1 for 3 with runners in scoring position during the weekend series.
“We know he can swing the bat,” Zack Powers said. “He swung the bat good during the fall and the spring. He’s going to come out here and show it. He works hard.
“He’s definitely one of the hardest workers on the team. He’s been the same hard worker since I’ve seen him. It’s finally paying off.”
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Senior center fielder Cody Dent swings during Florida’s 16-5 win against Duke on Feb. 17 at McKethan Stadium. Dent hit his first career home run against Florida A&M on Monday.
