The relief tandem of Tyler Nesbitt, Nick Ficarrotta, Philip Abner and Karl Hartman combined for 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 23 Florida fell to Florida State by a score of 5-0 as the Seminoles evened the season series to one game apiece at Dick Howser Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Seminoles (19-13, 7-8 ACC) jumped out to a 5-0 lead against the Gators (21-12, 5-7 SEC) in the first inning, which would prove to be the only run support the Florida State pitching staff needed. Alex Toral got the scoring started with a two-run shot down the left-field line, while Brock Mathis followed with a solo homer in a nearly identical spot. James Tibbs then added an RBI single to third base and later came in to score when Logan Lacey was thrown out attempting to steal second base.
As a result of the rocky first inning, Florida turned to right-hander Tyler Nesbitt<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15101&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=Spfgg_BEA0YmNrzCkH10FkXEM0nO8JVv0RqwUEJ3YfQ&e= > with one out in the opening frame. After working the Orange & Blue out of the first, Nesbitt returned to the mound in the second and proceeded to blank Florida State across the next two innings before ceding duties to right-hander Nick Ficarrotta<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15094&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=kEe2OuDOmwSmTR6UFLtnTCs3_2KqhH8iqQVkaEVLK_0&e= > in the fourth.
From there, Ficarrotta tossed 2 2/3 shutout frames to hold the Noles in check before Philip Abner<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15126&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=XZof_lj8Cz-cACiP30W_wREQlko1SNgDlpq40Qp8sPs&e= > entered and churned out 1 1/3 scoreless innings of his own. Fellow right-handed reliever Karl Hartman<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15121&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=a0zuwf7U92BKAFNP8jfF2iEvfDPvanhFJyLwdqp7eac&e= > did his part in the eighth, pitching a one-two-three inning with two strikeouts.
Despite a combined 7 2/3 innings of one-run ball by the Florida bullpen, the Gator bats were held scoreless on Tuesday night as Florida State polished off a 5-0 shutout victory in the ninth.
Seminoles reliever Conner Whittaker (1-1) earned the win after tossing 3 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five.
Florida starting pitcher Nick Pogue<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15102&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=LqtyIZOLFB1KkaNHAC4lJEkdLcv6GvCM1TcGypIq_xQ&e= > (1-2) received the loss after lasting one-third of an inning in Tuesday’s start, allowing four earned runs on three hits and one walk.
Florida State starting pitcher Jonah Scolaro was handed the no-decision, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit and two walks. He struck out five.
NOTABLES
* Florida and Florida State are now tied at 1-1 in the season series.
* The finale is scheduled for May 17 at 7 p.m. at Florida Ballpark and will air on SEC Network.
* The Gators fall to 8-1 in midweek games this season.
* Florida drops to 10-2 vs. in-state teams in 2022.
* Florida is now 123-131-1 vs. FSU including a 45-71-1 record in road games.
* The Gators are 31-19 vs. the Seminoles under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1445&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=wgBg-DvjZKjhvjuq7OQgEtws6tYxI-XFc4bVjTu1QPKPEqL7wnw3lGY-YKbty9g4&s=0tHa228U7BRJmVl-KTjNCnxT-1G_fMmd8DOCzI9loBY&e= > including 8-7 in Tallahassee.
* Florida has won 18 of the last 22 meetings including 13 of the last 16.
UP NEXT
The Gators head to Nashville, Tenn. for a three-games series against the Vanderbilt Commodores spanning from Friday, April 15 to Sunday, April 17. All three games will air on national television, beginning with an ESPN2 matchup on Friday at 7 p.m. The remaining two games will air on Saturday at 7 p.m. (SEC Network) and Sunday at 1 p.m. (ESPN2).
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