Florida Baseball Sweeps Harvard In Final Series Before SEC Play

The No. 7 Florida Gators wrapped up their final non-conference baseball series in dominant fashion by sweeping Harvard in Saturday’s doubleheader, 7-0 and 22-6.

Game 1 saw freshman Aidan King deliver a stellar pitching performance in his first career start, while Bobby Boser’s early fireworks powered Florida at Condron Ballpark. The nightcap featured an offensive explosion, as the Gators piled up 22 runs on 16 hits to overwhelm the Crimson 22-6.

The teams played two seven-inning games Saturday because of the threat of inclement weather Sunday.

Sweep Victory 🐊 #GoGators pic.twitter.com/dFFLCoEE89

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 9, 2025

Game 1

The Gators got off to a fast start Saturday when Boser sent a ball into orbit to give Florida a 2-0 lead. Boser’s home run was clocked at 106 mph and traveled 425 feet. He followed that with a second-inning grand slam (7th of season) to make it 6-0.

“He’s just a really good baseball player,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He can play in the middle of the field, he can play short, third, second, he can play center field, he runs. His nickname is Bobby Baseball for a reason.”

BOB THE GRAND!#GoGators // SECN+ pic.twitter.com/NspFBHTYYi

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 8, 2025

The Gators added another run in the fifth off a Hayden Yost RBI single to make it 7-0. They threatened to add on but grounded into an inning-ending double play.

King Conquers Crimson

Freshman right-hander Aidan King pitched a gem in his first career start Saturday. He was filling in for Pierce Coppola who was scratched earlier in the week due to injury. Like King has done all season, he took command and peppered the zone with strikes. Harvard had no answers, managing just two hits and zero runs.

“I thought he was outstanding,” O’Sullivan said,

https://twitter.com/GatorsBB/status/1898469845286658544

With the recent injuries in the rotation, King is starting to become one of Florida’s most reliable arms on this staff. A good sight to see with conference play right around the corner.

King finished the day throwing six shutout innings, eight strikeouts, one walk and two hits.

Caden McDonald finished things off in the seventh, retiring the side in order.

Game 2

The Gators (15-2) capped their weekend series against Harvard in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Crimson (0-9) in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. Florida’s offense erupted for 22 runs on 16 hits, securing the series sweep in their final non-conference series before SEC play begins next weekend.

DH sweep 🤝 series sweep! ✅#GatorsWin | #GoGators

Presented by @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/e9ZFrfISC4

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 9, 2025

After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, the Gators responded with three runs in the bottom half and never looked back. They plated at least one run in every inning except the second, including a six-run sixth to put the game out of reach.

Brody Donay and Ty Evans powered the Gators, each delivering clutch hits throughout the game. Donay’s two-run home run (8th of season) in the third inning gave Florida a comfortable 5-2 lead and he later added two more walks and a single to reach base in every plate appearance. Evans was equally dominant, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, triple and three RBIs, including a bases-clearing triple in the fifth inning.

“He’s a staple of our program . . . I think this weekend was good for him,” O’Sullivan said of Evans.

The bats stayed hot as Brendan Lawson finished 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in fifth inning as well.

RBI TYBO TRIPLE‼️#GoGators // SECN+ pic.twitter.com/Mg0JVWqg5q

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 9, 2025

Pitching Holds

Matthew Jenkins got the start for Florida, allowing two runs across three innings while striking out four. Luke McNeillie and Christian Rodriguez combined for two innings of relief, holding Harvard to just three additional runs. McCall Biemiller and Jackson Barberi closed out the final two innings, with Barberi striking out the side in the seventh to seal the victory.

Up Next

Florida plays in Tallahassee on Tuesday for the first of three meetings against Florida State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on ACCNX. The Gators then travel to Knoxville, Tenn., for a three-games series against Tennessee starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Hunter DeLauder contributed to the game 1 recap.