No. 5 Gators down Georgia State, 5-1
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida baseball head coach Kevin O’Sullivan notched his program record 557th win as the Gators downed Georgia State, 5-1, Tuesday evening from Florida Ballpark/McKethan Field.
“When you get into this profession, I don’t know that you can ever predict you’re going to have an opportunity to coach at Florida,” O’Sullivan said afterward. “And then certainly you don’t try to think too far ahead. I think that’s maybe what successful coaches have been able to do. They don’t get too far ahead. And then as time goes on, good things end up happening.”
The No. 5-ranked Gators plated all five runs in the first three innings to race out to the early lead. Florida scored two in the first, one in the second and another pair in the third to secure their fourth straight victory.
Designated hitter Kirby McMullen provided the punch in the contest with his first home run on the season, clearing the bullpen in left field to hand the Gators the early 2-0 advantage.
Third-year sophomore Kendrick Calilao paced the Gators with two hits, while second-year freshman catcher Nathan Hickey scored two runs.
“It’s a special night. Anytime you reach a milestone like this, there are so many people that are involved, whether it be staff, coaches, players,” O’Sullivan said. “It just seems like yesterday that I got hired by Jeremy [Foley]. And having Chip [Howard] here tonight. They went out on a limb and gave me the opportunity to run a program. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity.”
Redshirt junior pitcher Garrett Milchin earned the win, allowing no runs on three hits with three strikeouts in four innings. The Florida bullpen of Trey Van Der Weide and Christian Scott combined to allow three hits and one run in five innings.
UP NEXT: The Gators come right back to Florida Ballpark tomorrow to host Stetson. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m., and will be live-streamed by SEC Network+. The game will also air on ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF.
