With Miami threatening to complete a comeback after erasing an early five-run deficit, Florida's offense delivered its most explosive performance of the season.
The Gators erupted for seven runs in both the sixth and eighth innings, powering Florida (41-19) to a 22-10 victory over Miami (39-19) Saturday night in the Gainesville Regional.
“I can’t explain tonight,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.
Florida's lineup overwhelmed Miami pitching from start to finish, launching seven home runs and piling on 22 runs. Senior catcher Karson Bowen led the charge with two home runs and five RBIs, while senior second baseman Cade Kurland launched two homers of his own. The duo combined for five hits and four home runs in the blowout victory.
The Gators seven home runs are a program NCAA Tournament record, and their five homers in the eighth inning mark an overall program record.
Florida wasted no time responding after Miami opened the game with a leadoff home run.
Redshirt sophomore center fielder Kyle Jones was hit by a pitch before sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson singled to put runners on the corners. An errant throw from junior shortstop Vance Sheehan allowed Jones to score, and sophomore third baseman Ethan Surowiec followed with a sacrifice fly to give Florida the lead.
Redshirt sophomore two-way player Caden McDonald singled and Bowen beat out an infield hit before Kurland unloaded on a three-run home run to left field, capping a six-run first inning and giving Florida a 6-1 advantage.
The Gators added another run in the third when Bowen blasted a solo home run into the visiting bullpen.
Florida continued to answer every Miami rally. After the Hurricanes cut the lead to one run in the fourth inning, Lawson reached base and later scored on a throwing error by freshman third baseman Gabriel Milano to make it 8-6.
The Hurricanes eventually erased the deficit and tied the game at 8-8 in the fifth, but Florida's offense delivered the decisive blow in the sixth.
After walks from Jones and Blake Cyr helped load the bases, Bowen worked a bases-loaded walk to drive in the go-ahead run. Junior first baseman Landon Stripling followed with another bases-loaded walk before Kurland reached on an error that allowed another run to score.
With the bases loaded again, Jones ripped a three-run double over the right fielder's head to cap a seven-run inning and push Florida's lead to 15-8.
The Gators saved their biggest fireworks for the eighth inning. They capped off their final offensive frame with eight runs — with some help from the crowd.
Kurland opened the scoring with his second home run of the night before Jones was hit by a pitch to keep the inning alive. Lawson then launched a home run to center, senior left fielder Blake Cyr followed with a home run of his own and Surowiec immediately added another, giving Florida three consecutive home runs and sending the Condron Ballpark crowd into a frenzy.
“A lot of it had to do with our fans,” O’Sullivan said. “I’ve been here 19 years, that might be the best it’s ever been.”
McDonald followed with a single and Bowen capped the scoring with his second home run of the game, extending Florida's lead to 22-10.
“We can explode at any moment,” Bowen said of the Gators’ offense.
While the offense stole the spotlight, Florida's pitching staff had to navigate several tense moments.
Miami struck immediately against sophomore starter Aidan King when senior second baseman Jake Ogden launched a leadoff home run. The Hurricanes threatened for more after putting two additional runners aboard, but King escaped with an inning-ending double play.
King settled in during the second inning before Miami mounted another rally in the third. Junior first baseman Alex Sosa delivered an RBI double and freshman catcher Alonso Alvarez added a two-run single to cut Florida's lead to 6-4.
The Hurricanes continued their push in the fourth. An RBI single from Sheehan and a wild pitch trimmed the deficit to 7-6 and ended King's outing. Junior right-hander Luke McNeillie entered in relief and limited the damage.
Miami finally tied the game in the fifth after McNeillie loaded the bases. Sophomore reliever Jackson Barberi entered and induced a ground ball, but Florida was unable to turn the double play as the tying run crossed the plate.
Barberi responded with his strongest outing of the regional, holding Miami scoreless in the sixth and retiring the side in order in the seventh.
“He said he felt more like himself,” Bowen said about Barberi.
The Hurricanes scored two runs in the eighth, but Barberi minimized the damage and finished his outing with multiple strikeouts.
Redshirt senior right-hander Ricky Reeth recorded the final three outs as Florida secured its second win of the Gainesville Regional.
The Gators will return to action Sunday at 5 p.m. needing one more victory to advance to the Super Regional round.
Contact Colton Veres at cveres@alligator.org. Follow him on X at @colton_veres.
Colton Veres is a senior sports journalism student in his first semester at The Alligator. He is currently the Summer 2026 baseball reporter. In his free time he enjoys watching the Red Sox and spending times with friends and loved ones.
