Florida Gators
Maine
No. 2 Florida Secures Series with 6-1 Win Over Maine
Sunday, March 8, 2015 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore A.J. Puk (3-1) carried a no-hitter into the fifth and junior Buddy Reed had a bases-clearing double to help No. 2 Florida (13-2) clinch its weekend series with a 6-1 victory over Maine (4-11) on Saturday at McKethan Stadium. Freshman Mike Rivera was a career-best 4-for-4 with an RBI single and junior Danny Young worked 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the save as the Gators notched their third win in a row.
The Gators used a three-run double by Reed to build a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Freshman JJ Schwarz and senior Josh Tobias (2-for-3, two runs) opened the frame with consecutive singles off of senior Scott Heath (2-1) and Rivera bunted up the third-base line for a single. A throwing error by Heath on the play enabled Schwarz to score and Rivera to occupy second base. Sophomore Ryan Larson drew a walk to load the bases and Reed's fourth double of the year brought home all of his teammates before he was thrown out aiming for a triple.
Rivera came through with a two-out RBI single to drive in freshman pinch runner Logan Browning in the third inning for a 5-0 margin. After junior Harrison Bader led off with a single into left field, he was injured running back to first base when junior Richie Martin flew out to center field and was replaced by Browning. Tobias collected his second hit for two Gators aboard and Rivera followed with a base-knock through the right side to plate Browning.
Senior Luke Morrill began the fifth with a homer to right field for the Black Bears' first hit of the day against Puk, narrowing the gap to 5-1 and ending a 10.1-inning scoreless streak for the left-hander.
The Black Bears had the bases loaded in the sixth with two down courtesy of a fielder's choice, hit batter and a walk and Young was summoned for Puk (5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 6 K). The southpaw had Morrill ground out to Martin to preserve the Gators' four-run advantage. Freshman Christian Hicks had a pinch-hit RBI grounder that scored Tobias with Florida's final run in the eighth inning.
Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan
On clinching the series versus Maine:
“I thought our guys did a good job. It was a big day at the plate for Mike Rivera to get four hits and to put down a really nice bunt as well. Obviously, the swing of the day was Buddy Reed, when he hit the ball into the right center gap and scored some runs. A.J. Puk was really good on the mound today and I thought that was the best that he has looked all year. His command was good, he threw strikes and he gave us a chance to win. I also thought that was the best Danny Young has thrown all year. I was really pleased to see those guys throw the ball as well as they did today.”
Sophomore outfielder Buddy Reed
On the team's defense this season:
“It's definitely been good. Defense is the number one thing, honestly. Defense is the key to winning games and championships. I'd say it's helped our confidence on the mound.”
Sophomore lefthander A.J. Puk
On his outing today:
“Every outing, I'm trying to build from the previous one. I'm looking forward to going out during SEC play and having a good outing against Tennessee.”
On the team's defense this season:
“It definitely helps you out as a pitcher. Just throw the ball over the plate and let the defense go to work. They've been playing very well this year.”
Freshman designated hitter Mike Rivera
On going 4-for-4 at the plate:
“It felt good. After struggling the day before, I finally came around. I worked in the batting cages and did what the coaches said, and it paid off.”
Postgame Notes
- Josh Tobias raised his hitting streak to a career-high seven games with a single in the second inning. He picked up his fourth multiple-hit outing of the year.
- Harrison Bader opened the Gator third with a base-hit into left field to raise his hitting streak to seven games.
- Mike Rivera set a career best with four hits, including his first career double in the sixth inning.
- Buddy Reed recorded a career-high three RBI when he slapped a double into right-center with the bases loaded in the second inning.
- A.J. Puk (3-1) had his scoreless innings streak of 10.1 innings snapped in the fifth inning when he gave up a solo homer to Maine's Luke Morrill.
- The Gators played error-free baseball for the sixth time in seven games and for the eighth time this year.
- Florida improved to 8-0 all-time against Maine.
Up Next
The Gators and Black Bears will complete the series tomorrow at 1 p.m., with sophomore Dane Dunning (3-0, 1.12) facing junior Jake Marks (0-2, 10.95) in a matchup of right-handers. The game can be heard on the Gator IMG Sports Network with Jeff Cardozo and Steve Russell and will be carried on SEC Network+ with Nick Belmonte and Larry Vettel through participating TV providers only through WatchESPN.
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