Starting pitcher Brandon Neely tossed four no-hit innings backed by an offensive attack that saw Josh Rivera and Jac Caglianone homer while BT Riopelle drove in three en route to a three-hit day.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida used a complete performance on both sides of the ball to claim the series over Kentucky with a 9-1 victory in game two at Condron Family Ballpark on Saturday night.
Game two began in April and ultimately concluded in May. Following a 56-minute rain delay that pushed the start time to 6:56 p.m., a second weather delay struck in the bottom of the fourth that lasted two hours and eight minutes.
Following a scoreless first inning from starting pitcher 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=Crf3iCZPvgQx-esRMU-c52137pgiDvgZpfia7QliPkg&e= >, the Gators (25-17, 8-12 SEC) jumped on the Wildcats (23-20, 6-14 SEC) for a trio of runs in the bottom half. 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=xR3HyrM8lHC3pva2MacGKlbAPao_EeqKFW6cnxcxqHM&e= > led off with an extra-base hit for the second-straight game, legging out a triple to right center. 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=Ud6pyUgXf9MavFTaAH2Yw-Bx5KEgfoUJd3IFunujIVQ&e= > then reached on a throwing error by Kentucky second baseman Daniel Harris IV to drive in Langford, while 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=Ku8pF8xdHISYjmXrj4h4dWP6NjK9skuIc18OWvfzAX8&e= > doubled down the left-field line on the first pitch to score Thompson. BT Riopelle<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15114&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=L3ugEG_QumeXRyPChe3nmjefymbuQM7iHVPANnYFHX0&e= > then singled to right center to plate J. Fabian to cap off the big frame.
Neely went right back to work in the second, stranding a pair of Wildcat runners in scoring position to navigate out of the inning. That opened the door for the Gators to add on, as 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=4Pkc5FxlCMJ_P6WdPMQI1i_aXeOdNMUhuPChT8NhBQw&e= > led off the bottom of the second with a solo shot to straightaway center field. Thompson proceeded to contribute an RBI double into the left-center gap while Riopelle drove in two more runs with a single to right, scoring Thompson and J. Fabian.
With the score at 7-0, rain began to pour down on Condron Family Ballpark, causing a two hour and eight minute delay. That forced Neely out of the game prematurely, as 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=M4px1iIpLrLES1-Lyklv399JVy6Os9w2eAJLWDlgDKI&e= > took over duties on the mound upon resumption of play.
After receiving a zero from Nesbitt, the Florida bats picked up where they left off. The Gators quickly loaded the bases on a Riopelle single and walks by 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=Rgtwr9Hc9bmjCkdDJwLp27qqGcXYMdHj8XtQGlJyv24&e= > and Rivera. From there, Colby Halter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15096&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=YC8jgxqRVBrCwkW2VC1ZpmivDF9KQ6rQnzre9EXIZPU&e= > extended the lead to 8-0 with a bunt single down the third-base line to bring in Riopelle.
Kentucky broke into the scoring column in the sixth, as Ryan Ritter doubled in Harris IV to end the shutout bid. Florida answered with a run of their own in the seventh, with Caglianone going yard to left field for his second home run of the campaign.
Neely (1-0) earned his first-career victory as a starter, tossing four no-hit innings with one walk and four strikeouts. The freshman right-hander remained eligible for the win after being forced out of the game due to weather.
Kentucky starting pitcher Zack Lee (1-1) was saddled with the loss after lasting just 1 2/3 innings with seven runs allowed (six earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out three.
Thompson (2-for-5), Riopelle (3-for-5) and Rivera (2-for-3) all notched multiple hits in the win.
NOTABLES
* Game two began in April and concluded in May.
* Langford led off with an extra-base hit for the second-consecutive game since being move to the top spot in the order.
* He connected for a leadoff home run in game one and legged out a triple in game two.
* Over the last three games, Florida starters (Sproat and Neely twice) have combined for 16 1/3 innings with one run allowed on six hits while striking out 17.
* Neely threw four no-hit innings before being lifted due to a two hour and eight minute rain delay.
* Neely did not allow a hit until the seventh inning in his previous start vs. No. 1 Tennessee, retiring 19 Vols before surrendering a hit.
* J. Fabian and Thompson drove in runs while Langford, Thompson and Langford all picked up hits
* The trio of Thompson, Langford and J. Fabian has recorded an RBI in 35 of 42 games this year while registering a hit in 41 of 42 games.
* Florida is now 146-70-1 all-time against Kentucky.
* The Gators are 64-38-1 vs. the Wildcats at home.
* Florida has won 11 of the last 14 meetings including six of the previous seven.
* The Gators have now won five-straight against the Wildcats.
* 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=C3jvJ4ty3lyTKcFN4wnhMtuNWrzGcNyb1RGstQj4_oczpznYtr4ZvnU8TTjzHC-1&s=1Wln3JjM3oU19xWzSdFry8UCTW-_kwU0kkkDjVU7kmU&e= > is 25-19 vs. Kentucky.
* That includes a 12-8 mark at home.
* Rivera extended his team-leading on-base streak to 16 games.
* Thompson extended his on-base streak to 12 games and his team-leading hitting streak to eight straight.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On Neely’s outing and the offense…
“We scored three in the first and four in the second and got off to a really good start against a really good starting pitcher. His numbers coming in were really good, so obviously jumping out to a big lead there after the first two… I felt Brandon really settled in after the second inning. He had some deep counts and had a little trouble getting the ball down the first couple of innings but he’s been really good again. It’s unfortunate that we had the rain. I thought he was starting to get into a rhythm at that point.”
On the rain delays…
“We’ve had plenty of rain delays here, especially later in the season… [we] just came in the clubhouse and watched some of the other games that were going on at the same time. It’s really the players that need to go out and play and everyone has to stay ready to go. The only decision we have to make is to figure out who is going to the mound.”
On the team gaining confidence at the plate…
“I think we have swung the bats pretty good the entire year, but I think moving Wyatt to the top of the order has changed some things. Moving Sterlin to two and Jud to three and B.T. to four and Jac up to the six spot has helped us. We’ve been getting a lot of production out of the bottom of the order.”
UP NEXT
Florida and Kentucky face off in the series finale scheduled for Sunday at 12 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
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