Florida scored 10 runs on 13 hits to overcome an early 4-0 deficit, as Jud Fabian passed Mike Zunino for fifth on Florida’s all-time home run list.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Despite falling behind by four runs in the early going, the Gators plated 10 runs from the third inning on to notch a 10-8 comeback win over Stetson at Florida Ballpark on Tuesday night.
The Hatters (18-18, 5-10 ASUN) struck first, as leadoff man Cameron Hill opened the game with a single and later crossed home. Hill advanced to third on a wild pitch and a Nick DiPonzio single, eventually scoring on a fielder’s choice. Stetson plated three more runs in the top of the third thanks to a three-run home run by Brandon Hylton.
The Gators (23-14, 6-9 SEC) responded for two runs in the half inning to follow. 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=wP_TVLEVdcgmpwxS6COwNhvhMoQIB7eNErpDW7EBwC4&e= > started the inning with a double down the left-field line and came in to score on an RBI single to right off the bat of 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=SRx0X9Qy89GvOCnm1076IY_mJ2v2lTKL0jDNskL8wTo&e= >. After advancing to second on a groundout, Thompson scored on an RBI single by 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=KExZlZsO0vfLWvi82PyL3PEHFWWSdf6aa-54mSmnwRA&e= >.
Stetson answered back with one run in the fourth, but Florida broke open the ballgame in the bottom half. 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=jCGYLBWORTVVmqkXwGoqgYvXEfRcJ8FY1jsAJ57BUmk&e= > led off the frame with an opposite field homer to right, marking his fifth of the year. Three batters later, Halter drew a two-out walk and advanced to second when 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=68fLhch4Zu-Rr9Fb9moiqqj-06CpdZP9QmLWXlIy_9U&e= > was hit by a pitch. Thompson proceeded to drive in his second run of the day with a single to left, but it was 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=k3irQOnujTNbgwCivdlhvq5nj5wLQBHwmHHWtMjHDnE&e= > who provided the big hit. On a 1-1 count, Langford connected for a go-ahead, three-run home run off the left-field foul pole, giving the Gators a 7-5 lead heading into the fifth.
With a newfound lead in hand, 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=njMgvZE4mdIhwVQCBHQQirWRPcaIQRVvJC96SuwoQL0&e= > held the score in check with a clean fifth inning. Fellow righty 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=QIyoEJwAwduzaJpQXEPmvYQz8xefRAce2-hsYHT98Fs&e= > relieved Ficarrotta in the sixth and fired a one-two-three frame of his own, picking up a strikeout in the process.
The Gators ran into trouble in the top of the seventh, as the Hatters clawed back with a pair of runs. Hylton drove in the first with an RBI double to left center, followed by a single from Yohann Dessureault that brought home Hylton.
In the bottom of the eighth, Florida received some much-needed insurance as well as a piece of Gator history. On the first pitch of his at bat, J. Fabian launched a two-run home run to left field to pad the Florida lead to 10-7. J. Fabian’s 16th home run of the campaign marked the 48th of his career, as he passed Mike Zunino for fifth on Florida’s all-time home run list.
Relief ace 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=DplHZgJfKvQHq_Wx_buEqIjFstLJJMYhfajDKYj3VLw&e= > entered to close out the game in the ninth, allowing one run to bring the score to its final tally of 10-8 before nailing down his fourth save of the campaign.
Ficarrotta (2-0) earned the win, tossing three innings with two earned runs allowed on three hits while striking out three.
Hatters reliever Anthony DeFabbia (0-2) was saddled with the loss. He pitched two-thirds of an inning and allowed four earned runs on two hits and one walk.
Making his first-career start, Florida starting pitcher 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=ZRcJyEt6s2GcsQ_SryjXy9IhnQoL1XNPJIudATgUGGg&e= > lasted two-plus innings on the mound, allowing three earned runs on four hits and one walk. The right-hander struck out two on his way to a no-decision.
Stetson starting pitcher Jonathan Gonzalez also received a no-decision, going three innings and allowing two earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out two.
J. Fabian (2-for-3), Thompson (3-for-5), Langford (2-for-4) and Rivera (2-for-3) recorded multi-hit games.
NOTABLES
* With J. Fabian’s eighth inning home run, he passed Gator great Mike Zunino for sole possession of fifth on Florida’s all-time home run list with 48 homers.
* Langford connected for his 13th home run of the season in the fourth inning.
* Fabian, Langford and Riopelle boast the second-most home runs (40) of any trio in the nation (Old Dominion – 44).
* Florida is one of 12 teams in the country with three players sporting double-digit homers.
* Hartman made his first-career start.
* J. Fabian, Thompson and Langford all drove in runs on Tuesday night.
* The trio of Thompson, Langford and J. Fabian has recorded an RBI in 32 of 37 games this year while picking up hits in 36 of 37 games.
* Thompson tied his career high with three hits.
* Florida is now 86-35 all-time against Stetson.
* The Gators are 48-11 vs. the Hatters at home.
* 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=TcU8ivmcQmdHyWdgJuThxkfhFM7mzy6nICPxoWy3ZR_-sNklmPCHDlbW9EvS4x-q&s=Sg66TmuH7gFHFGGPj1UKV0-iON4U1b0CgliuZKcANaQ&e= > is 10-1 vs. Stetson.
* That includes a 6-0 mark at home.
* Florida is 42-10 across the program’s last 52 regular season games at Florida Ballpark.
* The Gators are 27-7 in their last 34 regular season home games.
* Rivera extended his on-base streak to 11 games.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O’SULLIVAN
On the comeback…
“Our whole focus was on tonight. I think it’s a really positive thing for our team to be able to play from behind. You’ve seen enough midweek games where they kind of get away from you. They kind of overlooked them, so I was really pleased with how we battled back. Scored two in the third and five in the fourth. Obviously, Wyatt’s home run was a big one for us at that point of the game. Then, obviously, Jud’s home run at the end to give us a little bit more of a cushion of a lead was big.”
On the pitching decisions…
“To be honest with you, we were just trying to win the game. We knew that we were going to have to use a bunch of arms tonight. Karl getting his first start. We expected him to hopefully give us three. At that point it was just going down the list trying to get the next guy available. It was really that simple. But, we knew we were going to use quite a few arms. We only walked three guys which was a positive too.”
On Fabian passing Mike Zunino on Florida’s home run list…
“It’s an incredible milestone for him. I think that comment early on, he comes in as a high school senior, we knew he was going to be very good defensively. I didn’t want to put any pressure on himself, offensively. Obviously, he’s turned out to be a great offensive player. We knew that, but I think early on we were just trying to not have him get pressed or get down on himself…”
FROM OUTFIELDER JUD FABIAN
On passing Mike Zunino…
“I didn’t know until he came up and told me after the game. I mean, it’s special to pass a guy like Zunino on the board. It’s always special. I didn’t even think it was going to get over.”
UP NEXT
The Gators welcome No. 1 Tennessee to Florida Ballpark for a three-game series spanning from Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24. All three games will stream on SEC Network+.
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