Florida Baseball Drops Series Against Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers baseball team downed Florida 7-4 Sunday to take the rubber game of a three game series. Indiana is now 8-3 while Florida drops to 8-9 on the year.

The Hoosiers sprung forward on Daylight Savings Time, taking the early lead on catcher Kyle Schwarber’s first inning homer off of Florida starter Eric Hanhold. Schwarber went 4-for-5 on the day and drove in a pair of runs. The Indiana trio of Schwarber, Dustin DeMuth and Scott Donley combined for 10 hits in the game.

Indiana enjoyed a solid performance from left-hander Kyle Hart. Hart carried a shutout into the eighth inning before the Gators mounted a four-run rally. He finished his outing not allowing an earned run over 7.2 innings, allowing only five hits while striking out five. Florida left fielder Justin Shafer went 1-for-4 with an RBI and said the Gators need to string together better at bats.

Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said they faced some hitter’s counts, but his team couldn’t take advantage of their opportunities.

The Gators used seven pitchers on the day with Hanhold starting, followed by Parker Danciu, Aaron Rhodes, Bobby Poyner, Mike Vinson, Corey Stump and Danny Young. O’Sullivan said they need to locate their pitches better as a staff, especially the inside part of the plate.

He added that they faced an Indiana squad that can really hit, and he gives them all the credit for the series win.

The Gators will host No. 5 Florida State (15-0) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the first of three regular season meetings. O’Sullivan said he expects both teams to be ready to play for a Sunshine Showdown.

Country 103.7 The Gator has the call beginning at 6:55 p.m. on Tuesday.