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Behind a strong pitching performance all weekend long, the Florida Gator (21-1, 3-0 SEC) baseball team completed the three game sweep over the Missouri Tigers (14-9, 0-3) with a 7-5 victory Sunday afternoon. Florida is now on a 15-game winning streak and has won their last 23 games at McKethan stadium, one shy of the school record.
Shaun Anderson picks up his third save of the season as Florida sweeps Missouri #GoGators pic.twitter.com/4gJU15bzmy
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 20, 2016
Alex Faldo improved to 5-0 on the season pitching a solid 5.2 innings. The sophomore gave up five runs and struck out nine batters to remain perfect on the season. Junior Shaun Anderson picked up his third save of the season and second in a row. Anderson also picked up the win in Friday night’s matchup.
The Gators pitching staff combined for 48 strikeouts this weekend. The previous weekend record under Coach O’Sullivan was 31; Florida’s starters alone reached 30 this weekend.
Buddy Reed gave Florida a quick lead in the first frame with a two-run dinger. Mizzou cut the lead in half in the third but the Gators responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Pete Alonso and Mike Rivera both hit RBI doubles to extend the Gators lead 5-1. The Gators scored again in the fourth when Dalton Guthrie brought home Nelson Maldonado with a sac fly.
The Tigers pulled within one in the sixth 6-5, but they wouldn’t be able to score again off of the Gators bullpen. Dane Dunning pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and Anderson eventually went on to pick up the save.
The orange and blue complete their nine game homestead on Tuesday against FAU. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan says he isn’t sure yet who will get the midweek start for the Gators. First pitch from McKethan stadium is set for 7 p.m. but you can tune into ESPN Gainesville 95.3 FM at 6:55 p.m. for the call with Jeff Cardozza and Steve Russell.
