It was a much-needed bounce-back for Florida junior pitcher Liam Peterson. After struggling in the season opener against UAB, the Gators’ ace totalled 12 strikeouts and allowed just one hit and two walks.
Peterson’s 12 punch-outs were the most by a Gator since he fanned 13 against Arkansas in 2025.
“He really set the tone for us,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He bounced back, and I’m really pleased that he did.”
Meanwhile, sophomore first baseman Ethan Surowiec had a night to remember behind the plate. He went 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two homers in his breakout night with the Gators.
The duo uplifted the Gators (5-1) to a 9-3 win against Kennesaw State (3-1) on Friday night at Condron Family Ballpark to begin the weekend series.
The Gators were on the board first in the second frame. Freshman right fielder Cash Strayer reached second base after a dropped fly ball from KSU junior outfielder Cooper Williams.
Then, Surowiec homered to left field for the first time as a Gator, scoring himself and Strayer to make it a 2-0 ballgame.
“It was awesome, I prepared really hard and continue to prepare really hard,” Surowiec said. “I’m ready for more to happen.”
Florida tacked on two in the third. Sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson and junior infielder Cade Kurland were both walked, and a sacrifice fly ball from senior catcher Karson Bowen sent Lawson to third.
Right after, Strayer singled to left field to score Lawson, making it a three-run Gator lead.
A pitching change ensued for the Owls. Sophomore righty Cooper McMullen was relieved for senior righty Nolan Sliver. McMullen finished with one strikeout and three walks while surrendering three runs and hits.
Strayer then advanced to second on a wild pitch, and Surowiec walked to give Florida bases loaded. Then, senior outfielder Blake Cyr singled to right field to score Kurland, but Strayer was called out after review after being caught at home.
Florida added to its lead in the fifth. Bowen walked, and Strayer was cash again, singling to right field shortly after. A sacrifice groundout from Surowiec sent Bowen to third, and sophomore infielder Kyle Jones reached on a fielder’s choice to score Bowen.
Then, Kendall’s sacrifice fly out sent Strayer home as Florida ended the fifth up 6-0.
Peterson was subbed for sophomore Caden McDonald in the sixth. Florida’s ace was rewarded with roars from the crowd at Condron Ballpark as he exited the mound.
“Obviously, last weekend wasn’t great,” Peterson said. “The guys in the locker room had my back the whole time, and they don’t let me get down on myself.”
Surowiec had another trick up his sleeve in the seventh. After a Bowen leadoff single, Surowiec homered for the second time, scoring himself and Bowen to make it an 8-0 ballgame.
The Owls plated three in the eighth frame, as a double from junior shortstop Shamaar McDuffie cut Florida’s lead to seven runs. Then, junior outfielder Trenton Lyons hit a sacrifice groundout to send sophomore catcher James McGee home.
Then, a sacrifice fly out from freshman infielder Grayson McCollum sent McDuffie home to make it an 8-3 ballgame.
But in came UF senior third baseman Sam Miller. His first Gator home run in the bottom of the eighth to left field gave Florida insurance with a six-run advantage.
The Gator defense held in the ninth to secure the game one victory.
Game two of the weekend series will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Adrian is a senior journalism major and the baseball reporter for the Spring of 2026. He previously served as the soccer reporter in the fall of 2025. He enjoys playing Sporcle quizzes and ranting about South Florida sports.
