Kevin O’Sullivan has never lost to Stetson in his 10-year tenure as Florida’s head coach.
And even though his 5-0 record against the Hatters looked to be in jeopardy with UF down 10-1 in the fifth inning on Tuesday night at McKethan Stadium, that will have to wait for another day.
Streaks of lightning zigzagged across the Gainesville sky in the top of the fifth inning, halting Florida’s midweek contest less than six outs before a full five innings — the shortest a game can be ended and considered official — were played. The game will not be resumed and will not be made up, and all stats won’t count. It's as if the game was never played.
The cancellation marks the second time this season one of Florida’s games were delayed, canceled or rescheduled due to inclement weather. UF pushed back a home bout with Jacksonville originally set for Feb. 22 to May 3.
Before play stopped on Tuesday, the hits poured in from Stetson’s batters.
By the end of the third inning, Stetson had already amassed seven runs on nine hits.
And by the time the two teams scattered off the field into their dugouts 1 and 1/2 innings later, those numbers sat at 10 and 14, respectively.
The bulk of Stetson’s runs came in a six-run second inning.
UF freshman Nate Brown served up four straight hits to start the frame, which included an Austin Hale two-run home run to net Stetson a 4-0 lead.
Two hits and two outs later, Brown was pulled. In his fourth career start, the freshman was knocked around to the tune of six runs on six hits in 1.2 innings, striking out none in the process.
Fellow freshman Austin Langworthy then entered, surrendering two more hits to push the Hatters’ lead to 6-0.
In all, Stetson tallied eight hits in the frame — four doubles, one homer and three singles.
The rest of Florida’s bullpen didn’t fare much better.
Nick Long and Kirby McMullen combined to yield three runs over 2.1 innings before the game was called.
The Gators did fight back in the third, however.
Following a Keenan Bell single and a Deacon Liput walk, Jonathan India roped a run-scoring double down the left field line. The rally fell short after that.
Had the stats counted, the 14 hits would have been the most Florida’s pitching allowed at home this season. UF surrendered 12 to LSU on March 26.
Contact Patrick Pinak at ppinak@alligator.org or follow him on Twitter @pinakk12.
The tarp is pulled over the field as rain falls at McKethan Stadium during Florida's canceled game against Stetson on Tuesday night.
