The Florida Gators baseball team failed to replicate its hitting performance in game one.
Meanwhile, the Texas Longhorns found their scoring in a bunch as they took down the Gators to tie the season series.
The Gators (34-18, 12-14 SEC) came up short against the No. 1 Longhorns (40-9, 20-6 SEC) 5-2 Saturday afternoon. A lengthy weather delay stalled the contest despite a strong start for Florida.
After a scoreless first inning, the Gators scored first for the second straight game.
Sophomore right fielder Ashton Wilson singled up the middle, allowing junior outfielder Blake Cyr to score. Then, sophomore infielder Landon Stripling doubled down the infield line allowing Hayden Yost to score to make it a 2-0 advantage for Florida.
Texas was dormant on offense until the sixth inning after inclement weather delayed the game for roughly two hours.
Junior Rylan Galvan homered to center field. Then, junior infielder Jalin Flores homered to tie the game at two runs apiece.
Freshman outfielder Jonah Williams doubled to left center with the bases loaded and two outs, allowing three Longhorns to score to make it 5-2.
Texas held onto its lead as the Gators failed to muster any offense for the rest of the game.
Sophomore right-hander Liam Peterson earned the start for Florida. He fared well, recording four scoreless innings and three strikeouts.
However, the Gators couldn’t find consistency on the mound after the weather delay, as four pitchers made appearances during the fifth and sixth innings.
Freshman right-hander Christian Rodriguez came in for Peterson in the sixth. He gave up a run to Galvan before being relieved for freshman right-hander Jackson Barberi.
He didn’t last long and surrendered a solo home run to Flores on his first pitch.
Sophomore right-hander Matthew Jenkins came in for Barberi. He surrendered a hit and a walk before being taken out for sophomore right-hander Alex Philpott.
Philpott allowed three runs before being subbed out for freshman right-hander Blaine Rowland in the seventh.
Meanwhile, the Longhorns found more success from their bullpen.
Texas Junior starter Luke Harrison allowed just two runs and was replaced in the sixth by sophomore right-hander Thomas Burns.
Burns was formidable in his appearance and struck out three batters across 1.2 innings pitched. He also logged the win after Texas took the lead in the sixth inning.
He was replaced by freshman right-hander Dylan Volantis in the seventh who closed out the game for the Longhorns.
The series will be decided in a rubber match Sunday at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin, Texas. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04
