Kendrick Calilao saves Gators in final hour
No. 10 Florida snatched victory from jaws of defeat with four-run ninth inning May 7, 2021 | 11:19pm EDT Florida outfielder Kendrick Calilao watches a ball he hit against Jacksonville on March 14. Calilao tied Friday s game in the eighth inning before he struck the winning home run in the ninth. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
Florida baseball sat one strike away from a momentum-destroying series loss.
Three pitches later, the Florida dugout mobbed right fielder Kendrick Calilao at the plate after the sophomore fired a moonshot into the night sky and over the right-field fence for a three-run home run.
Gators fall after defensive collapse in the eighth
No. 10 Florida made too many mistakes to open series against Kentucky Third baseman Kirby McMullen in the infield against Jacksonville on March 14. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
Three up. Three down. Try again tomorrow.
The ninth inning ended in disappointment for the Gators when three straight batters approached the plate only to be sent back to the dugout in a matter of six total pitches to end all hopes of a second comeback.
The meeting between the SEC rivals was a spectacle of hits, errors, and missed opportunities by No. 10 Florida as the Gators dropped the opening game 7-5 to Kentucky.
Gators’ offense powers through Stetson
Following a statement series win over Vanderbilt, No. 10 Florida held off the Stetson Hatters for the third time this season Tuesday night May 4, 2021 | 10:48pm EDT Nathan Hickey swings at a pitch against Jacksonville on March 14. Hickey knocked in a team-leading 45th RBI of 2021 on Tuesday night. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
With two outs and the tying run on deck in the top of the ninth, Florida right-hander Christian Scott stepped on the rubber to face Stetson right fielder Eric Foggo.
The sophomore reliever worked his way into a full count before he forced a fly out to right field and clinched a 9-6 victory for the Gators Tuesday
Gators’ pitching leads charge to take series against Vanderbilt Sunday
Hunter Barco and Jack Leftwich silenced Vanderbilt’s bats to earn the 5-3 win in the series finale May 2, 2021 | 8:48pm EDT Freshman Hunter Barco throws a pitch against Jacksonville on March 14. The southpaw struck out seven batters in 5.1 innings against Vanderbilt Sunday. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
Jack Leftwich began his windup among a vibrating chorus of claps, shouts and whistles from the Florida Ballpark crowd. The ball flew out of his hand with vigor and barreled straight toward home plate.
Carter Young swung, but the ball already sat in the palm of Nathan Hickey’s glove.
Gators shine on offense to take game two against Vanderbilt
The Gators excelled at the plate and held strong on the mound to take game two from Vanderbilt 11-8 Kirby McMullen (52) celebrates with teammates after he hit a home run against Jacksonville March 13. Photo by Grethel Aguila | The Independent Florida Alligator
Jud Fabian stepped up to the plate for his first at-bat, ready to face one of the top pitchers in the SEC.
With two men on, no outs and down in the count 1-2, the center fielder eyed the pitch, and the crack of his bat rang out.
The Florida Ballpark crowd, hungry for redemption after Friday’s loss, erupted in a thunderous roar as the ball sailed easily over the left-field wall and into the visiting bullpen.