The Gators needed a big bounce back after suffering a weekend sweep at the hands of Alabama.
After some rough performances on the mound, the Gators responded behind the arms of junior Russell Sandefer, junior Luke McNeillie and sophomore Jackson Barberi, as the trio combined for 16 strikeouts while surrendering just four hits against a red-hot Florida State team.
Florida (20-6, 3-3 SEC) shut down the Seminoles (19-5, 5-1 ACC) 5-0 in Jacksonville Tuesday night, as the Gators have now won 26 of the last 34 matchups against their in-state rival.
Both squads traded zeros to begin the outing, as no runners reached base in the first frame.
In the bottom of the second, Florida earned the first hit of the game for either side, as sophomore infielder Ethan Surowiec tripled to left field. Then, senior outfielder Blake Cyr reached first base due to an error from senior infielder Eli Putnam.
The Gators cashed in due to an executed bunt from freshman outfielder Cash Strayer as Surowiec scored to put them up 1-0. But freshman infielder Kolt Myers struck out to leave two runners stranded.
But the Seminoles threatened to respond in the top of the third. Freshman infielder Will Bavaro got things going with a single down the middle, and a dropped pass from UF junior infielder Cade Kurland allowed junior infielder Cal Fisher to reach first.
Despite the miscue and two runners on base, Sandefer bailed out the defense, though, forcing a groundout to strand two ‘Noles.
McNeillie relieved Sandefer to begin the fourth. Sandefer tossed four strikeouts while issuing zero walks and just one hit in three innings.
McNeillie set the tone to begin his outing, striking out the side of the Florida State order in the top of the fourth. He continued his hot start, retiring three straight Seminoles in the fifth. Florida earned loaded bases in the bottom, but left with nothing as Surowiec struck out to leave three Gators stranded.
Florida State threatened again in the sixth as freshman infielder Kevin Paulino Jr. tripled due to a misplay in the outfield from the Florida defense. Strayer could not see the fly ball in the midst of the pouring rain to allow Paulino Jr. to run to third.
FSU sophomore infielder Myles Bailey was intentionally walked, giving the ‘Noles runners on the corners. But McNeillie worked around the defense, forcing a groundout to leave two runners stranded.
Barberi took over for McNeillie in the seventh after he finished with a team-high six strikeouts. He dealt early, striking out his first three batters on just 11 total pitches.
Florida earned loaded bases again in the seventh. Myers was hit by a pitch and stole second, followed by an intentional walk on sophomore infielder Brendan Lawson and a forced walk from Kurland.
Senior catcher Karson Bowen was then walked, allowing Myers to trot home to make it a two-run advantage for the Gators. Surowiec singled through the left side to score Lawson, and Cyr hit a 2 RBI single down the middle to plate two more as Florida found itself up 5-0 after seven.
The Gators looked for insurance in the eighth with Myers at third and Lawson at second, but Kurland lined out to a double play to end the inning.
Barberi lasted the rest of the way, recording the final three outs to secure the win. He finished with six strikeouts while walking just two Seminoles.
The Gators will head to Lafayette, Arkansas, for a meeting with the No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks. Friday’s series opener is set to begin at 7 p.m.
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.
