Florida Gators
Rhode Island
No. 5 Florida Belts Four Homers In 22-3 Win Over Rhode Island
Sunday, February 15, 2015 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On the strength of a pair of three-run homers and a career-high six RBI by junior Harrison Bader, No. 5 Florida (2-0) clinched its weekend series with a 22-3 rout of Rhode Island (0-2) on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Making his first career weekend start, sophomore right-hander Dane Dunning collected the win while working 4.1 innings on a pre-determined pitch count.
Rhode Island opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI grounder by sophomore Martin Taveras (two RBI) that scored senior Mike Sherburne (2-for-3). The Gators answered in the bottom of the frame with a towering three-run homer to left field by freshman JJ Schwarz that drove in sophomore Buddy Reed (walk) and Bader (hit-by-pitch).
Helped by three hit batters, the Gators tacked on two more runs in the second inning against junior Lou Distasio (2.2 IP, 8 H, 12 R). Freshman Mike Rivera and sophomore John Sternagel were plunked to start the frame and moved into scoring position on a passed ball before Larson (2-for-3, career-high four RBI)laced an RBI single into left to score Rivera (2-for-3, three runs). Reed later lofted a sacrifice fly into right field to bring Sternagel home.
A seven-run explosion in the third, featuring three-run homers by Larson and Bader (3-for-4, four runs), as well as an RBI single by Rivera, ballooned the margin to 12-2. After a solo homer by URI redshirt sophomore Mike Corin in the top of the sixth, the Gators countered with nine more runs on seven hits in the bottom of the frame. Freshman Christian Hicks had two-run, pinch-hit double, freshman Taylor Lane had a pinch-hit RBI single, Bader cranked a three-run blast to left center, junior Mike Fahrman (2-for-2) had a pinch-hit RBI single and Sternagel roped a two-run triple into right center. In the eighth, Sternagel drew a bases-loaded walk to complete the scoring.
Ryan Larson receiving congratulations from Craig Bell rounding third base after his first career home run (Photo by Tim Casey).
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan
On the team's offensive production today:
“We had a great day offensively. We had a chance to play everyone again today and (Harrison) Bader had one of those days. He had a couple of homers, a double and I think he had six RBI. Obviously, JJ (Schwarz) getting his first home run and then Bader following him was big. I'm really pleased with how we played today. We were able to get a lot of guys in there and I think some guys are cutting the barrel loose and swinging the bat well right now.”
Freshman catcher JJ Schwarz
On his success early in his career:
“I don't really like to hold expectations for myself because it's a lot to live up to, but I was seeing the ball really well in the spring and I think it carried over into the first couple of games.”
On his first career start behind the plate:
“It felt really good. Yesterday I was DH, and it was really cold and hard to stay warm. Today, it was no problem.”
On hitting his first career home run:
“It was awesome. I could tell it was gone probably the moment I hit it.”
Junior outfielder Harrison Bader
On the power hitting of the Gators today:
“It's not only coming from me. The best part is when everyone in the lineup is hitting. A lot of freshmen are getting in work and they're doing an incredible job. A lot of guys are getting their first knocks, so it's always a good thing to get off your chest.”
Sophomore outfielder Ryan Larson
On hitting his first career home run:
“It was a surprise to me. I wasn't expecting to hit a home run today, that's for sure, but it felt good. It's a good way to start the season off."
On when he realized the ball was gone:
“I wasn't watching. I was running. I'm not a home run hitter, so I hit the ball and my head was down thinking second (base) the whole time. Then I looked up, and people were cheering, so I was like 'Okay, I guess I'll start jogging now.'”
Opening Series by the Numbers
- Dating back to 2002, the Gators hold a 13-1 (.929) record in opening series at home.
- In Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure, the Gators have swept Siena (2008), Louisville (2009) and USF (2010 & 2011) and captured two of three from Cal State Fullerton (2012), Duke (2013) and Maryland (2014).
- UF will look to break out the brooms against Rhode Island to sweep the weekend series tomorrow afternoon.
Florida Leaders:
- UF scored 22 runs on 17 hits and used four three-run homers to do most of the damage.
- The Gator offense posted two or more runs in four innings.
- Harrison Bader led the Orange and Blue with a career-high tying three hits, including two three-run homers and a career-high six RBI. Bader became the first Gator since Zack Powers against Duke on Feb. 17, 2013, to record a multi-home run game.
- Dane Dunning made his second career start for the Gators and surrendered two earned runs and three hits over 4.1 innings.
- Shaun Anderson, Frank Rubio and Kirby Snead combined to pitch the final 4.2 innings and allowed just one run while striking out three.
- Mike Fahrman recorded his first base hit of the season in the sixth inning with an RBI single to left.
Newcomer Impact:
- The Gators started the same three freshmen for the second-straight game: Dalton Guthrie (2B), Mike Rivera (DH) and JJ Schwarz (C).
- After Rhode Island grabbed its first lead of the series in the top of the first, Schwarzblasted his first-career homer to give UF a 3-1 advantage.
- Rivera recorded his first hit and RBI in the third inning, when he singled up the middle to score Schwarz.
- Christian Hicks had a pinch-hit double in that drove in two runs in the sixth inning. Taylor Lane followed Hicks with a pinch-hit double to drive him in. Each base-knock and RBI were the first of their young careers.
Hit & Run:
- UF hitters were plunked five times in the first three innings of the contest. Florida's season-high last year was four and the squad totaled six HBP today..
- The Gators scored 20 or more runs for the first time since 2013 against Florida A&M.
- Today's run total surpassed last season's single-game high of 13.
- With 31 runs thus far in the series, UF surpassed its highest total in any series last year as its top run tally was 24 in a three-game set against Alabama.
Series History:
- This weekend's matchup marks the first between Florida and Rhode Island since the Gators swept a weekend series in Gainesville from March 11-13, 2011 (11-5, 12-4, 8-6).
- With today's win, the Gators lead the all-time series, 7-0.
Up Next
The Gators and Rams will wrap up the series tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. The game can be heard on the Gator IMG Sports Network with Jeff Cardozo and Steve Russell and Sunday's game will be carried on SEC Network+. This contest will be available through participating TV providers only through WatchESPN.
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