After four straight games of misery against the Gators, FSU shortstop Taylor Walls tried to avoid another loss. He did so by leading off the game with a home run to right field.
It didn’t matter.
Despite Florida State notching two runs in the first inning, Florida came back in the second and scored four runs of its own. The Seminoles then came back to tie the game before UF put an end to the seesaw affair.
Led by a two-inning offensive explosion from the bottom of the order, the No. 16 Gators beat FSU 10-7 on Wednesday in Tallahassee to sweep the three-game season series. It marked UF’s 10th win in its last 11 games against Florida State.
"It's a win," coach Kevin O'Sullivan said in a release. "It wasn't pretty on either side... but we were able to have a four-run inning and a six-run inning."
Florida’s offense was led by nine-hole hitter Christian Hicks, who picked up a team-leading three hits and four RBIs. Hicks is known more as a defensive player who’s able to play anywhere along the infield, and O’Sullivan said whatever he produces at the plate is just a bonus. But right now, his .295 average is third-best on the team.
"Christian Hicks was outstanding," O'Sullivan said.
Aside from Hicks, No. 7-hitter Austin Langworthy, No. 8-hitter Ryan Larson and designated hitter Jonathan India were the other standouts on offense. Larson and Langworthy were the only Florida (22-11, 6-6 SEC) players besides Hicks to smack more than one hit (two each), and India slugged a bases-clearing double to pick up three RBIs in the top of the fourth inning.
UF’s victory was largely thanks to that inning, which the Gators entered tied at 4-4. Before FSU recorded an out, Langworthy singled, Larson doubled and Hicks drove them both in with a double of his own. From there, Florida’s lead was never threatened.
"I thought we swung the bats good tonight against a really good pitcher," O'Sullivan said.
The offensive fireworks were a welcome sight for O’Sullivan, whose team entered the game ranked last in the SEC in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs and RBIs.
The pitching wasn’t as encouraging.
O’Sullivan said he wanted to get his young hurlers work against FSU, and he didn’t lie.
Starter Sam Dyson was ineffective, allowing two earned runs in 1 and 2/3 innings. He was replaced by fellow freshman Kirby McMullen, who also struggled, allowing two more earned runs in his 1 and 1/3 innings.
From there, O’Sullivan turned the game over to veteran lefthander Nick Horvath, and from there, things got better for UF. Horvath shut out the Seminoles for 3 and 1/3 innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. He also allowed his team to build a comfortable lead.
"Nick Horvath did a great job coming in with the bases loaded and nobody out," O'Sullivan said. "Didn't let them score."
He was succeeded by Langworthy, who started in center field and finished on the mound. The freshman was, for the most part, effective in his 2 and 2/3 innings, although he got into trouble in the ninth by allowing a pair of runs.
He was also about a foot away from giving up a homer that would’ve made it a one-run game, but the ball was caught and the game was over.
O'Sullivan is hoping the team stays hot at the plate with a weekend series against Vanderbilt scheduled to get underway on Thursday in Nashville. He's also hoping he can squeeze more innings out of his freshmen arms.
"Those guys have got to step up and give us more," he said of his young bullpen.
"It's that simple."
Still, despite some disappointment in the bullpen, he was still pleased to get another win over the Seminoles.
"It's great to sweep Florida State in any year," he said. "Obviously, we'll take it and get on the bus and go home and get ready for Vanderbilt."
Contact Ethan Bauer at ebauer@alligator.org or follow him on Twitter @ebaueri.
UF infielder Christian Hicks swings at a pitch during Florida's 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.
