Florida baseball got back on track with another victory over in-state rival Florida State.
Similar to a week ago, the Gators’ pitching staff racked up 16 strikeouts to help propel UF to a 5-0 win over the Seminoles at Vystar Ballpark on Tuesday, March 24.
In Florida’s two wins against FSU this season, UF has struck out a combined 34 batters.
By comparison the Seminoles’ staff recorded eight strikeouts, eight walks and five hits.
No. 25 Florida (20-6) got on the board first in the second inning after Ethan Surowiec hit a 1-out triple. UF caught a break after No. 8 FSU (20-5) missed an infield fly ball, which helped set up Cash Strayer laying down a successful bunt on a suicide squeeze.
From there, the two teams locked into a pitching duel. Florida’s trio of arms Russell Sandefer, Luke McNeillie and Jackson Barberi surrendered only four hits and three walks. Each of the trio struck out the side at least once.
Florida State’s pitching staff walked the bases loaded in the seventh inning, which led to Karson Bowen drawing an RBI walk. Surowiec hit an RBI single followed by Blake Cyr coming up with a 2-run single.
Cyr and Surowiec each finished the game 2-for-4, while Barberi picked up his second save of the season.
Here’s what happened in Florida baseball’s win vs Florida State.
Gators break game open
Florida kept the rally going in the seventh inning and plated four runs. Ethan Surowiec hit an RBI single followed by a 2-run single from Blake Cyr to build a 5-0 lead. Announced attendance 7,667.
Florida baseball extends lead vs Florida State
FSU’s relief pitcher Cole Stokes walked the bases loaded with one out. Karson Bowen drew an RBI walk to give Florida a 2-0 lead over Florida State in the seventh inning.
Pitching duel
As the bottom of the sixth closes, Florida still holds a 1-0 lead. The Gators left the bases loaded in the fifth, but both team’s pitching staff have been efficient. Both teams each have three hits.
Florida baseball takes the lead over FSU
In the bottom of the second, Ethan Surowiec reached base on a 1-out triple after FSU’s left fielder failed to come up with a diving catch. On the next at-bat, Blake Cyr reached based after the Seminoles missed an infield fly ball. Surowiec then scored from Cash Strayer laying down a successful bunt on a suicide squeeze. Florida leads Florida State 1-0.
Florida starting lineup
Florida baseball vs. Florida State projected starting pitchers
RHP Russell Sandefer (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. LHP Cooper Whited (1-0, 3.12 ERA)
Florida baseball vs. Florida State start times
First pitch set for 6 p.m. at Vystar Ballpark.
How to watch Florida baseball vs. Florida State
The midweek matchup will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida baseball strikes out 16 in shutout win over Florida State
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
