Florida Baseball Wins 7th Straight, Downs Missouri in Series Opener

The Florida baseball team defeated Missouri eight to six Friday night in Columbia to win their seventh straight game. The Gators improve to 21-18 overall and 9-7 in SEC play. The Tigers drop to 12-21 on the season and 4-12 in conference play.Jo

Jonathon Crawford took the mound for the Gators and was able to settle down after walking the leadoff man in the second. He finished with his third win of the season after going 5.2 innings, allowing seven hits, giving up four runs, walking four and struck out four on 101 pitches. Coach  Kevin O’Sullivan says he likes the way his veteran kept the team in the game.

Florida’s bats continued to stay hot. The Gators collected 18 hits on the night, 16 of them coming from the top six in the batting order. CF Richie Martin, C Taylor Gushue, 1B Vickash Ramjit, and 3B Josh Tobias all enojyed three-hit performances. O’Sullivan says he was happy with what he saw from his guys at the plate.

Other Gators who swung the bats well were 2B Casey Turgeon and RF Justin Shafer who both had two hits.

O’Sullivan and the Gators turned to closer Johnny Magliozzi with one out in the eighth. Magliozzi picked up his tenth of the season going 1.2IP, allowing one hit, walking two, and striking out three.

Florida and Mizzou will be back at it against Saturday at Taylor Stadium. Coach O’Sullivan says Florida will continue to need guys to step up when called upon.

You can catch all of the action on ESPN Radio 850/900 beginning at 4:55pm Saturday.