Top-Ranked Gators Too Much In Game One

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eight-of-nine starters secured hits for the top-ranked University of Florida, helping the Gators to an 8-3 win over 24th-ranked University of Miami on Friday night at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida (8-1) jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning, as the Gators strung together four runs on five hits off Miami (4-5) starting pitcher freshman Bryan Radziewski.

With two outs to begin the frame, Ben McMahon began a rally that eventually saw Josh Adams score Daniel Pigott on a RBI single. That was followed by Pigott scoring on a wild pitch, and Preston Tucker’s RBI single to center to push the Gators to what would become an insurmountable lead for the Hurricanes.

UF plated another two runs in the third inning, using another two-out rally from Adams’ two-run scoring single to left that allowed Brian Johnson and Mike Zunino to score on the play, advancing the Gators lead at 6-0.

Austin Maddox’s two-run homer in the fourth closed the Gators scoring, stretching the lead at 8-0.

Miami was held to just five hits through the first six innings as UF starter left-hander Brian Johnson went five frames on the hill with three hits spread out, and registering a season-high nine strikeouts in the win.

The Hurricanes got on the board in the eighth inning when sophomore Cade Kreuter pinch hit for Shane Rowland, driving in two runs with a double to right field that allowed Harold Martinez and Michael Broad to score and cut into the UF lead, 8-2. Miami eventually made it 8-3 when David Villasuso singled through the left side to bring in Kreuter for the final score of the game.

The Miami bullpen performed well in the game, using freshman Sam Abrams who went 3 2/3 innings with just two hits surrendered, no runs allowed and two strikeouts. Freshman AJ Salcines closed the game on the hill for the ‘Canes, going an inning with a hit and two strikeouts.

The loss went to Radziewski who suffered his first defeat of the season in 3 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs (five earned) on nine Florida hits, four walks and four strikeouts.

The Gators were charged at the plate with Josh Adams going 3-for-3 at the dish, followed by Preston Tucker and Maddox each collecting a multi-hit game.

Miami was led offensively by Rony Rodriguez with two hits in three trips, as well as Michael Broad and Villasuso with two hits apiece.

Tomorrow’s game, scheduled to be televised live on Sun Sports at 3 p.m., will feature Miami’s right-hander E.J. Encinosa (0-1, 6.00 ERA) working against Florida’s right-hander Hudson Randall (1-0, 1.64 ERA).

For more information on the University of Miami baseball team, please log on to HurricaneSports.com. To follow the UM Baseball Team via twitter, please navigate to Twitter.com/CanesBaseball. You can also access the official UMiami Baseball blog at TheUBaseball.com.

You can keep up-to-date with all UM Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/HurricaneSports.  You can also become a fan of the ‘Canes on Facebook at Facebook.com/MiamiHurricanes.