Starting pitcher Brandon Sproat fired 5 1/3 shutout frames while Wyatt Langford and Sterlin Thompson each homered in the victory.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Backed by 5 1/3 shutout innings from starting pitcher Brandon Sproat<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15106&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=1zuZca-FrrlDVA38v-rbpXRIyUIV8dpCgXvpw4kmrB0&e= >, Florida took the series premiere over Kentucky by a score of 9-2 at Condron Family Ballpark on Friday night.
Behind Sproat’s dominant effort, the Florida offense was led by multi-hit performances from Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=E6wIQ4nus9QaOyhQZyUkLBupk6KUFu1tpwVeUqX6rzo&e= > (2-for-4), Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15108&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=qq3RSu7iqtSbh9L7hyF-60JFXsGZiE_z6K0zzOARU4s&e= > (2-for-4), Josh Rivera<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15104&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=Otc-dVTNXvu0P95JonAAQEPFfN2n9N-20UT5YwmaJkA&e= > (2-for-4) and Jac Caglianone<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15113&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=0ugj_wq3Yx-fBNW996E6rwkIIW02ZHMkRmrGEUS5yvQ&e= > (3-for-4). Caglianone picked up a career-high three hits and three runs while Langford and Thompson both left the yard, combining for six RBI in the victory.
The Gators (24-17, 7-12 SEC) shook up the front half of their lineup in game one and it immediately paid dividends. After working a 3-1 count, Langford led off with a homer to left center to hand Florida a 1-0 lead. The long ball marked Langford’s 14th of the campaign.
After being spotted an early run, Sproat was in control of the Wildcats (23-19, 6-13 SEC) for the entirity of his outing. The right-hander blanked Kentucky through the fifth, fanning four Wildcats in the process while scattering four hits and three walks.
With Sproat holding Kentucky in check, the Gators took advantage and extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth with four runs. Rivera got it started with a leadoff double to left center, followed by a pair of singles by Caglianone and Deric Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15119&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=TAM5iwexH2Wtd4HBiX24e8MZMC9RHovKZ6UW1ABHPL4&e= >. From there, Langford drove in his second run of the night with a single to right while Thompson was plunked by a pitch to force home Caglianone. Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15127&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=3ck7Epze8SmxWTPCe12zKXEz-BJKQE6smuyOqECskOg&e= > and Kendrick Calilao<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15092&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=Uo1DaY_A4phbVbIcnKpAxMGA87V-Oi1fWIYcUyCiTPs&e= > capped off the frame with a pair of sacrifice flies to bring the score to 5-0.
Sproat surrendered a leadoff walk in the sixth and following his fifth strikeout he was lifted in favor of right-handed reliever Blake Purnell<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15103&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=6bsdJ1x_aD72V9XEKMgFDij5gdJ8hP8Sh7X_QHs5RI8&e= >. After allowing a bloop single to right, Purnell induced a one-four-three double play to navigate the Gators away from damage.
Florida tacked on three more runs in the sixth, highlighted by a long, two-run home run off the scoreboard in right by Thompson. D. Fabian opened the inning’s scoring with an RBI groundout to third base to plate Rivera.
The Gators and Wildcats traded runs in the eighth, beginning with a solo home run by Kentucky first baseman Jacob Plastiak. Florida answered with a Thompson RBI single in the bottom half to make it 9-1.
Kentucky scored one final run in the top of the ninth, as Devin Burkes connected for a solo shot to center to bring the score to its final tally of 9-2.
Freshman right-hander Anthony Ursitti<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15125&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=onVBvEQQejltCAIijp7_5sO96BuD7kiwPLsV0fYFvqQ&e= > shut the door for the Orange & Blue, throwing the final 1 1/3 innings while allowing one run on two hits and one walk. The righty struck out one.
Sproat (5-4) earned the victory, firing 5 1/3 shutout innings with five hits allowed and three walks. He struck out five.
Kentucky starting pitcher Mason Hazelwood (1-2) was saddled with the loss, going four innings with five earned runs allowed on five hits and one walk while striking out three.
NOTABLES
* Over the last two games, Florida starters (Sproat and Brandon Neely<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15118&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=kTf-LznXzn54oFbNNm1cnkbMQmLfI0OKpOIOD3EIUhI&e= >) have combined for 12 1/3 innings with one run allowed on six hits while striking out 13.
* J. Fabian, Thompson and Langford all drove in runs while the latter two notched hits.
* The trio of Thompson, Langford and J. Fabian has recorded an RBI in 34 of 41 games this year while registering a hit in 40 of 41 games.
* Florida is now 145-70-1 all-time against Kentucky.
* The Gators are 63-38-1 vs. the Wildcats at home.
* Florida has won 10 of the last 13 meetings including five of the previous six.
* 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=PNtl3WMqze3_BHn7n4_jEhFc5b3nL-Z1RRT6uorDQuuPSLVIDF5eR0Op4p9Auh2z&s=HugE0vUCFAQ1b7ZQkXwrgHhwitT4ys5uHQCvtkgsZNM&e= > is 24-19 vs. Kentucky.
* That includes a 11-8 mark at home.
* Rivera extended his team-leading on-base streak to 15 games.
* Thompson extended his on-base streak to 11 games and his team-leading hitting streak to seven straight.
* Thompson’s sixth inning long ball ended a 17-game homerless streak.
* Caglianone picked up a career-high three hits and three runs.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On Sproat’s start…
“He gave us a good start. I thought he battled and left some guys stranded and gave us good pitches when he needed. I think three of the first five innings the leadoff guy got on and he didn’t get flustered and held it together and made big pitches when he needed to. I think what you saw tonight is a lot of the progress he has made with the mental side of the game. I’m not quite sure earlier in the year if he would have gotten through that. I think we’ve seen a lot of progress with him through the mental side and I thought he pitched really good tonight.”
On the lineup changes…
“We talked about the idea of leading Wyatt off and he’s a player that has power and he can run. When you start stacking those three guys together, it’s as good as any three guys in the league. It helped us get an early lead… even the leadoff home run gave us a little sigh of relief. He’s a really good player and I thought Josh had a really good night offensively. Jac continues to do what he’s doing. Deric continues to contribute in a lot of different ways: bunting, drag bunting a bit was really big for us. Offensively we were really good tonight.”
On Caglianone’s addition to the lineup…
“He needed to get some live at-bats and he’s done a really nice job. He’s done a good job left on left. He’s contributing and I’m looking forward to getting him back on the mound next year. He’s got a really good arm in the future. He’s hopefully going to be the next two-way guy in the past that has done a lot of things for us.”
UP NEXT
Florida and Kentucky meet again in game two scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network+.
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