Earlier this week, UF head coach Kevin O’Sullivan made the decision to make sophomore pitcher Aidan King the Friday starter, sending junior Liam Peterson to Saturdays.
So far, the move has paid off, as King retired 23 of the 27 batters he faced with six strikeouts, as he held one of the nation’s top offenses to just two hits and two runs.
King’s performance, backed up by a seven-run seventh inning, propelled Florida (26-9, 8-5 SEC) to an 8-2 statement win over No. 4 Georgia (28-7, 10-3 SEC) Friday night in Athens, Georgia, to take the series opener.
The Gators were quick to take the opening score due to a couple of fielding errors from the Bulldogs’ defense. Sophomore outfielder Kyle Jones was hit by a pitch and sophomore infielder Ethan Surowiec reached base on a fielding error from UGA senior shortstop Kolby Branch.
Both runners advanced following a sacrifice groundout from senior catcher Karson Bowen. Then, a dropped fly ball from Georgia sophomore left fielder Henry Allen sent Jones home as Florida opened the first with a one-run lead.
Meanwhile, King made a statement early on, retiring the first six Bulldogs he faced with three strikeouts in the first two innings.
Surowiec earned the first base hit for either side with a single to left field to lead off the third inning. But Bowen grounded out into a double play and senior outfielder Blake Cyr followed as the Gators came up empty.
King followed up with two more scoreless innings in the third and fourth, now having retired the first 12 batters he faced through four frames.
However, the offense could not find any momentum. Despite Jones reaching first after being hit by another pitch, he was caught stealing second as Florida still maintained a 1-0 lead heading into the midpoint.
King continued to deal, fanning his sixth Bulldog in the fifth while retiring his 15th straight batter through five innings.
The Gators had runners on first and second in the sixth, as Bowen singled to center field and junior infielder Cade Kurland battled to force an eight-pitch walk. Junior infielder Landon Stripling then forced a walk right after to give Florida loaded bases with two outs.
However, senior designated hitter Cole Stanford lined out to left field to leave the bags juiced.
King’s career night continued, retiring the 18th straight Bulldog he faced to end the sixth frame.
Florida threatened again in the seventh. Freshman infielder Kolt Myers reached first with one out on another error from Branch, and Jones singled to left to put runners on first and second. Then, Surowiec walked to juice the bags once again with one out.
The Gators capitalized, as Bowen barrelled a clutch single to right field to plate Myers. Cyr stepped up to the plate and cleared the bases with a double to left center as Florida extended its lead to 5-0.
Stripling and Stanford joined the party with back-to-back home runs to make it an eight-run ballgame and cap off a seven-run seventh inning stretch.
King’s no-hitter ended in the bottom of the seventh as junior infielder Tre Phelps led off with a single to left field. However, the preseason All-American pitcher stranded Phelps at first as he retired the next three Bulldogs to end the inning.
In the eighth, Surowiec forced a walk with two outs and reached third off of two wild pitches. Bowen walked right after to put runners on the corners. However, Cyr left him stranded as he went down looking.
King saw trouble in the eighth, walking two batters. Then, Georgia senior infielder Ryan Black hammered a 2 RBI triple to left field to cut Florida’s lead to 8-2.
That ended King’s night, as he was relieved for redshirt senior Ricky Reeth. The former Notre Dame transfer came in and retired his first batter with a groundout to leave Black stranded on third.
Reeth slammed the door on Georgia, recording the final three outs to leave one stranded in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win.
Florida will look to clinch the series Saturday with first pitch set for noon.
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.
