The Gators’ pitching staff continued to roll on Tuesday night.
Sophomore Cooper Walls, junior Russell Sandefer, freshman Schuyler Sandford and sophomore Jackson Barberi allowed zero runs against FAU while combining for 11 strikeouts and 15 forced outs.
No. 9 Florida (12-1) secured its 12th straight victory with a 4-0 win over the FAU Owls (6-6) at Condron Family Ballpark.
“Pitch count was really good,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “Everybody did their job. I’m really starting to see the bullpen come together.”
Walls started on the mound for Florida, away from his usual Sunday spot after the series finale against Miami was rained out. He set the tone in the first frame, retiring the opening side of the Owls’ order, highlighted by a sliding fly-out catch from senior outfielder Blake Cyr.
The Gators drew first blood in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore outfielder Kyle Jones led off with a single to center field, and successfully stole second. A sacrifice groundout from sophomore infielder Ethan Surowiec then sent Jones to third.
Senior first baseman/catcher Karson Bowen then singled down center field to score Jones to make it a 1-0 ballgame after one.
Walls was relieved for Sandefer in the third, as he finished with two scoreless frames while logging a strikeout and inducing three groundouts. It was Sandefer’s first outing since the opening night after dealing with a shoulder injury.
FAU threatened to score in the frame. Senior catcher Ian Collier and sophomore outfielder Kyle Boylston hit back-to-back singles to center field, and a sacrifice bunt from senior outfielder Marshall Lipsey sent the runners to second and third.
But Sandefer bounced back, fanning the next two Owls to leave two runners stranded in scoring position.
“It definitely was a little weird going out there,” Sandefer said. “I’m excited to help contribute. I just want to win.”
It was business as usual for UF sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson. The reigning Co-SEC Player of the Week launched his fifth home run of the season to center field in the bottom of the third to extend the Gators’ lead to two runs.
Florida tacked on two more in the fourth. Cyr led off with a single down the left field and senior catcher Cole Stanford was walked. Cyr stole second base, and a throwing error to third base from Collier allowed Cyr to reach home.
Freshman infielder Colton Schwarz then hit a sacrifice groundout to score Stanford, as the Gators earned a 4-0 lead after four frames.
Sandefer exited the mound to begin the fifth, finishing with two scoreless frames while fanning three Owls, as Sandford took his spot.
Florida had bases loaded in the seventh frame, but Strayer flew out to center field to leave three stranded as the Gators held on to a four-run advantage after three scoreless innings.
Meanwhile, Sandford was replaced in favor of Barberi to begin the eighth frame after finishing with a team-high five strikeouts in three scoreless frames, as he continues to move up as a consistent bullpen option.
“Each outing I’m just getting more comfortable,” Sandford said. “I’m trusting my stuff and trusting my defense.”
Barberi got the job done as the closer, securing the win by inducing a double play for the final two outs. He finished with zero hits allowed and two strikeouts.
Florida is back in action Wednesday at Condron Family Ballpark to take on Florida A&M, with first pitch set for 6:30.
Contact Adrian Carmona at acarmona@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @abcarmona04.
Ethan Feinberg is a senior sports journalism student and the Spring 2026 men’s tennis reporter. He has previously written stories and produced audio sessions for WRUF, covering high school football. Ethan enjoys watching and playing sports like football and basketball, working out, fishing, cooking, and having a good laugh with his friends and family. His favorite sports teams are the New England Patriots, Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, and the Miami Marlins. (Drake "Drake Maye" Maye is the GOAT.)
