In the midst of a near season-long slump, JJ Schwarz would’ve taken a hit anyway he could get one.
On Saturday in the seventh inning against Columbia, the .220 hitter squared up a Zack Bahm fastball and lined right back up the middle off his face.
As the ball rolled off toward the first base dugout, Schwarz dug for second and Jonathan India raced home from second.
Schwarz’s double did more than knock Bahm — who was later OK — out of the game, it broke a 2-2 tie and shifted the momentum in Florida’s favor in a 7-2 series capturing victory over the Lions (0-2) at McKethan Stadium.
In relief of Bahm, Columbia’s Ryan Marks couldn’t stop the bleeding.
UF catcher Mike Rivera tripled to center to plate another run, Mark Kolozsvary laced an RBI single up the middle and Nick Horvath walked with the bases loaded to boost Florida’s lead to 6-2.
In just the seventh and eighth innings combined, the Gators (9-2) collected four of their 10 hits and scored five of their runs.
UF head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said it was a good sign for his offense, which he said struggled to make adjustments Friday night.
"That was probably the best three-inning stretch we've had in quite some time swinging the bat and staying in the middle of the field,” O’Sullivan said.
On the hill, starter Brady Singer got knocked around but limited the damage.
The sophomore right-hander fanned five through 5.1 innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on eight hits.
"I thought Brady did just enough, it wasn't the easiest day to pitch,” O’Sullivan said. “With the wind, sometimes it's really hard to get a grip on the ball and spin the breaking ball with the wind like this.”
A combination of Andrew Baker, Frank Rubio, Nick Horvath and freshman Tyler Dyson — who picked up his first career win — came on in relief for Singer to hold the Lions scoreless.
Florida will look for the sweep Sunday with right-hander Jackson Kowar on the mound. The sophomore hopes to build on a strong outing vs Miami in which he gave up one run through 5.2 innings.
Contact Patrick Pinak at ppinak@alligator.org or follow him on Twitter @pinakk12.
UF first baseman JJ Schwarz swings during Florida's 2-0 win against Miami on Feb. 25, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.
