Jonathon Crawford could tell warming up in the bullpen he’d be in for a gem. He unleashed a plus slider and live fastball from the get-go.
What Crawford couldn’t predict was the early run support from the six through nine hitters that ignited the Gators offense and gave the right-hander the cushion he’d need for his second career complete game.
With fastballs touching mid-90s and sliders darting out the strike zone, No. 11 Mississippi (23-5, 4-4 Southeastern Conference) didn’t stand a chance once Florida (12-16, 3-5 SEC) got the bats going on a sunny Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium.
Florida’s last four batters—Vickash Ramjit, Connor Mitchell, Mike Fahrman and Cody Dent—drove in three runs off Mississippi starter Mike Mayers in the second inning. With Justin Shafer on first, Ramjit reached on an attempted sacrifice bunt that Mayers couldn’t field cleanly. Mitchell drove in Shafer on a single to right. Designated hitter Mike Fahrman doubled down the right-field line on a hit-and-run to score Ramjit and Mitchell for his first-career hit.
Fahrman, a freshman catcher from Tampa, hadn’t gotten a hit in 11 at-bats. Arrive at a game around two hours early for Florida batting practice and Fahrman can be seen routinely finding the seats in left field. He made the most of his second career start.
“It’s the monkey off the back right there,” Fahrman said of his double. “I needed that one.”
Florida needed a complete win against a SEC opponent. It not only got a complete game from its pitcher, but also scored at least seven runs for the fifth time all year. A Harrison Bader solo home run, a Zack Powers single and a Mitchell groundout plated three in the sixth inning. Taylor Gushue drove in Casey Turgeon on an RBI double an inning later.
“We need production from our order at all batters and all positions,” Bader said. “We just have to hit a stride where everybody is hitting and everybody is getting RBIs.”
Mitchell earns spot in lineup: Mitchell opened the season as a seldom-used outfielder. He started pinch running late in games. Now, he’s made nine consecutive starts and knocking in runs.
With two RBIs on Saturday, he increased his season total to eight. His RBI single in the second came with two strikes. He brought in Powers in the sixth on a groundball to first with two strikes as well. On a full count Tuesday against Florida State in Jacksonville, Mitchell drove in Florida’s only run of the game with a single in the second. His performance on Saturday comes nearly a month since his walk-off single against Jacksonville on March 6.
“He’s done a good job,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “On the RBI with two strikes, he stuck his nose in there and it was a ball that was down. He battled. He gives a really good effort every at-bat.”
Bader brings the power: Zeros dotted the scoreboard for Florida for three straight innings. The Gators picked up two base hits between the third and fifth innings. Bader put a three-run sixth inning in motion with his first career home run. The solo shot to left gave Florida a four-run lead.
“(I am) just trying to put a good swing on the ball. I am not a home run hitter by any means,” Bader said. “Just trying to make something happen and get some momentum.”
Assistant coach out: Frustration boiled over in the 11th inning on Friday when third base coach Craig Bell got ejected after arguing an out call at second base. Dent laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of home plate. Mississippi catcher Stuart Turner threw out Josh Tobias at second base. The out erased a potential rally with runners on first and second, and the leadoff batter Turgeon up with a chance to tie the game.
O’Sullivan finished the game as the third-base coach. He did the same in game 2, because of a new rule that mandates a one-game suspension. The sixth-year coach doesn’t plan on taking over the role any time soon.
“I’m 1-0 in the record book,” O’Sullivan said. “I know when to retire.”
Series finale starter in question: O’Sullivan didn’t reveal who he’d start on the mound for the rubber match Sunday afternoon at 1.
“We got a couple options,” he said. “We’ll figure it out.”
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.
