University of Georgia
Florida
No. 8 Florida Edges Georgia 3-2
May 02, 2015 | Baseball
Highlights from Saturday's baseball game between Georgia and Florida.
May 2, 2015
ATHENS----Georgia's late rally fell short in a 3-2 loss to eighth-ranked Florida at Foley Field on Saturday in front of 2,888 fans.
The Bulldogs (22-24, 7-15 SEC) dealt with a dominant showing from Florida starter A.J. Puk, and then got late inning heroics from freshman Mitchell Webb (7th inning game-tying RBI double) and sophomore Stephen Wrenn (game-tying 8th inning home run) before the Gators emerged with a run in the ninth for the victory to even the SEC series.
"A.J. Puk for them was outstanding, that was as good as we've seen all year long," Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win. We got some clutch hits. Ryan Lawlor kept us in the game, and then we kept getting those hits with two outs, you can't say enough about that. We got some big hits, we got two hits there in the ninth to give us a chance and just came up a little bit short today."
Puk gave up only two hits across six scoreless innings while becoming the first Gator to record double digit strikeouts (11) in a game since 2012. The sophomore retired the last 16 batters he faced. The outing overshadowed a strong performance from the Bulldogs' Lawlor, who held the Gators (34-13, 14-9 SEC) to one earned run over five innings with four walks and three strikeouts.
Webb's double in the seventh tied the game at 1-1 before Wrenn's solo shot tied the game again at 2-2 heading into the ninth. The Gators then scored the go-ahead run on a pinch-hit single by freshman Jeremy Vasquez in the top half. Georgia received two-out singles from both Webb and Brandon Stephens before Skyler Weber grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.
Florida's Bobby Poyner (4-1) got the victory after pitching three innings of relief, giving up one run and notching three strikeouts. Sean McLaughlin (3-5) received the loss after giving up two runs on four hits, two walks and two strikeouts in four innings.
Before the game, Georgia held its annual Lettermen's Day with a focus on the 25th year reunion of the 1990 National Championship team. A total of more than 20 former players from that championship squad were in attendance along with the head coach Steve Webber, who threw out the first pitch Saturday. Also, Spratt Bullock and J.R. Showlater received special awards as Bullock was honored as the Distinquished Letterman while Showalter was recognized for Outstanding Athletic Achievement.
The rubber game of the series is set for Sunday at 1:05 p.m. and be televised by SEC Network+.
