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A day after winning both games of a double header Saturday, the No. 18 Florida baseball team completed the sweep of rival Georgia with a score of 10-3 on Easter Sunday.
The Bulldogs got on the board early with an RBI by junior Nelson Ward in the top of the first off of Gator starter Danny Young. Florida was quick to respond in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run triple by sophomore Harrison Bader, scoring junior Casey Turgeon and sophomore Richie Martin. Junior Braden Mattson knocked in Bader for the last run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Gators a 3-1 lead.
This was only the start of the day for Florida’s offense, which exploded in the second inning adding four more runs. The inning began with walks by freshman John Sternagel and Casey Turgeon. Richie Martin then loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice, allowing Bader to deliver once more with an RBI single. Junior catcher Taylor Gushue then singled to plate Turgeon and Martin. Freshman Peter Alonso joined in with a sac-fly giving the Gators a solid 7-1 lead after two innings of play.
Georgia only mustered up two more runs; an RBI single by Ward in the fifth and an RBI single by Mike Bell in the seventh.
Sophomore Danny Young produced his third quality start of the year, pitching five innings and only giving up two runs on eight hits and four strikeouts. Florida’s defense was a huge factor on Sunday, turning a season-high four double-plays and a fantastic relay from Mattson to Gushue gunning down Georgia third baseman Hunter Cole at the plate to end the fifth inning.
Florida’s offensive attack did not stop, with Turgeon blasting a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth, which tied him with a team leading fourth homer of the season.
Freshman Buddy Reed put the nail in the coffin in the bottom of the seventh by bringing in Zack Powers on a sacrifice fly for the 10th and final run.
Florida’s sweep of Georgia marks the seventh series win of their last eight meetings.
“It feels amazing. Winning the first two games is part of the challenge, but an even bigger challenge is to win that third game,” Bader said. “I’m glad the pitchers did their job, and the hitters did our job too. It was a great win.”
Up next, the Gators will host Jacksonville University for the first of two midweek games. Live coverage of Tuesday night’s game starts at 6:55 on ESPN 850 WRUF.
For audio on Sunday’s game, click the links below:
Sophomore Outfielder Harrison Bader
Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan
