Casey Turgeon handed Florida (8-6) a 1-0 walk-off victory in its series opener against Connecticut (4-6) on Friday night at McKethan Stadium.
After the Gators failed to score with the bases loaded in the 10th inning, Turgeon drove in third baseman Josh Tobias from second base with a single to right field, scoring the game-winning run.
Florida had a chance to win the game late due to a superb start from freshman right-hander Logan Shore. In his first Friday start — and only the fourth outing — of his career, he pitched a career-best seven innings while surrendering only two hits. He struck out four batters while walking only one.
However, the Gators offense struggled through the first 10 innings, costing Shore a chance at a victory.
Florida stranded 14 runners on bases against UConn — the third straight game in which it stranded 10 or more runners.
But the Gators’ bullpen followed Shore’s lead, as Bobby Poyner, Ryan Harris, Kirby Snead and Eric Hanhold combined to pitch four scoreless innings, with Hanhold picking up the victory.
The second game of the three-game series begins Saturday at 3 p.m. at McKethan Stadium.
Casey Turgeon swings during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.
