Gainesville, Fla. — Garrett Milchin had himself a day on Tuesday night in the Gators 8-7 win over Florida A&M. The freshman was a stand out from the bump and at the plate, knocking in four RBI and earning the save in the win.
The Rattlers (23-20) jumped to an early lead in the first inning, putting up three runs. An explosive fourth frame gave the Gators (31-13) the lead and they were able to solidify a W later in the game.
Milchin Saves the Day in #GatorsWin over FAMU
RECAP: https://t.co/8v3Q6o50ij pic.twitter.com/jLk3p4dwiz
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 3, 2017
A slew of singles stringed together by the Rattlers’ gave them their first couple of runs. Dallas Oliver lead off with a hit to right field and then stole second. Brian Davis, Kodi Russ and Garrett Wilkinson all picked up ribbies in the inning.
It was a rough start for the Gators’ freshman Andrew Baker on the mound but freshman Kirby McMullen was brought in and earned the win.
Milchin hit his first career home run to put the Gators in front. The three-run shot over the right field wall put the team up 5-3. They tacked on one more from Deacon Liput’s two-bagger. He advanced to third on a pass ball and then found home tagging up on a fly out by Austin Langworthy.
First Career Homer ☑️
First Career Save ☑️Freshman Garrett Milchin is a two-way stud. #GatorsWWWWWin pic.twitter.com/fdlnF6iWFJ
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 3, 2017
Sophomore Christian Hicks also had a homer on the night in his pair of hits, as well as two RBI. Junior Dalton Guthrie went two-for-five.
The Gators were able to pull of the win thanks to Milchin coming in clutch again.
The Rattlers answered back to the Gators’ explosive inning, tacking on two runs of their own in the fifth.
Senior Frank Rubio relieved McMullen but allowed three singles before getting out of the inning. Now up only 6-5, Nelson Maldonado gunned down what would have been the tying run at home from right field.
The Gators grabbed two insurance runs in the seventh frame. JJ Schwarz walked and then moved into scoring position on third base after a single by Hicks. Schwarz scored on a wild pitch and Milchin came in to help again with a sac fly—which would be his fourth RBI—and help the Gators to a 8-5 lead.
The Rattlers weren’t going to go down quietly. They stated off the final frame with a trio of singles and cut the Gators’ lead to only one. But Milchin was the two-way hero and recorded the final three outs and took the Gators to the win.
Holding Down the Home Stand
Florida will continue a five-game home stretch on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. against Jacksonville. This weekend will also feature a three-game series beginning on Friday against Ole Miss.