TAMPA, Fla. – Sophomore Brett Morales retired all 18 batters he faced as No. 5 Florida (4-0) downed USF (2-2), 13-3, on Wednesday night at Red McEwen Field. The right-hander (1-0) totaled a career-high seven strikeouts and threw 70 pitches in his first outing of the campaign.
Freshman JJ Schwarz (3-for-5) drove in a career-high five RBI, with a towering two-run homer in the fifth inning and a three-run triple during the Gators' seven-run eighth inning. Sophomore Buddy Reed went 3-for-6 with two runs and two RBI, while junior Harrison Bader continued his torrid start by going 2-for-3 with three RBI. He is 9-for-15 (.600) on the season with 14 RBI.
Bader gave the Gators a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run double off of redshirt freshman Tommy Pederson (0-1). Reed singled to left with one down and stole second before junior Richie Martin reached on a throwing error. Bader then delivered his third two-bagger of the year to the fence in right field.
Reed put Florida up 3-0 in the second inning with a two-out single into right field that brought home sophomore Ryan Larson (1-for-2, two runs), who had legged out an infield single and went to second on a passed ball.
Schwarz launched a two-run homer to left field in the fifth with Bader aboard to boost UF's advantage to 5-0. It was the rookie's second round-tripper of the campaign and the Gators now have seven homers already.
Martin lofted a sacrifice fly into right center to score freshman Dalton Guthrie (1-foir-3, two runs) in the seventh inning. In the bottom of the frame, freshman Kevin Merrell reached on a throwing error by Martin for USF's first baserunner and scored on a single by senior Kyle Teaf. Sophomore Luke Borders added another RBI single to narrow the gap to 6-2. With a pair of runners on base, sophomore reliever Kirby Snead was called upon to halt the threat and responded with an inning-ending strikeout.
The Orange and Blue blew the game wide open in the eighth with seven runs on four hits, highlighted by a bases-loaded triple from Schwarz. On the night, the Gators used six pitchers who combined for 12 strikeouts, four hits and zero earned runs.
Postgame Quotes
Head coach Kevin O'Sullivan
On Brett Morales' start tonight:
“That was as good of a start as I've seen in quite some time. Brett kept USF hitters off-balance and he was able to mix all of his pitches early in the count. He was really sharp, I was pleased at how he threw. It was hard to take a pitcher out with a perfect game through six. It's early in the year and you have to look at the big picture. Brett was outstanding.”
Postgame Notes
- The Gators have outscored opponents, 50-8, through four games.
- Sophomore Brett Morales retired the side in all six innings for his first collegiate victory.
- Morales' seven strikeouts surpassed his career high of five set against Illinois State on March 12, 2014.
- That Redbirds' squad was coached by first-year USF skipper Mark Kingston.
- Junior Harrison Bader has a team-leading 14 RBI after driving in 24 runs last season. He is batting .600 (9-for-15), with seven runs and six extra-base hits.
- Of freshman JJ Schwarz's five hits, four have gone for extra bases (two homers, one triple, one double).
- Sophomore Buddy Reed matched his career-best of three hits for the third time.
Series History:
- Florida leads the all-time series with USF, 56-24.
- Kevin O'Sullivan improved to 13-1 against the Bulls, including 3-0 in Tampa.
- The teams will meet again at McKethan Stadium on May 5.
Up Next
The Gators return to McKethan Stadium for the opener of a three-game series against No. 8 Miami (4-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on the Gator IMG Sports Network with Jeff Cardozo and Steve Russell and the game will be carried on SEC Network+ with Nick Belmonte and Larry Vettel. This contest will be available through participating TV providers only through WatchESPN.
Follow the Gators
Season tickets, Complete Game Mini-Plans and Single-Game tickets can be purchased online through GatorZone or by calling the Gator Ticket Office at 1-800-34-GATOR from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For all of the latest information on Florida baseball, log on to GatorZone or follow the team's Twitter account @GatorZoneBB.
