Gators Edge Bulldogs 7-5

Friday, October 27

Jacksonville, Fla.

6:30 p.m.

University of Georgia

Florida

Photo by: Kari Hodges/UGAAA

October 27, 2023 | Baseball

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.----- Florida edged Georgia 7-5 in the annual 10-inning exhibition Friday at 121 Financial Ballpark, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson got his first look at the Bulldogs and said it was two good clubs that battled for 10 innings.

"We needed to attack the strike zone more like they did, and we walked too many guys," said Johnson. "I tip my hat to Florida, they threw the ball well. Also, we had a couple double plays get away from us and a passed ball led to another run, and when you play a really good team, that's the difference between winning and losing."

Georgia pitchers walked seven and registered 13 strikeouts while the Gators only issued four walks and struck out 13.

The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI-single by Josh Stinson (2-for-4) and a passed ball allowed Clayton Chadwick to score. Florida tied the game in the fourth when the Bulldogs missed an opportunity to turn a double play. Tyler Shelnutt followed with a two-out, two-run double. In the sixth, the Gators surged ahead 5-2, scoring three runs on two hits as the Bulldogs couldn't turn a double play in the frame. Jac Caglianone (3-for-3, RBI) came through in the frame. Also, he started and pitched one scoreless frame with a pair of strikeouts.

Trailing 7-2 in the eighth, Georgia rallied for three runs on two hits including an RBI-triple by Charlie Condon, chasing Christian Rodriguez. Ryan Slater got the Gators out of further trouble.

For the Bulldogs, Leighton Finely started and provided a scoreless inning. Georgia employed 10 pitchers on the night. Brian Zeldin, Daniel Padysak, Brandt Pancer, Zachary Harris, Kolten Smith and Tyler McLoughlin all pitched at least one scoreless inning. Pancer went 1.1 innings while the longest outing came from Josh Roberge (1.2 IP).

Since 2019, the schools have partnered with the City of Jacksonville, ASM-Global Jacksonville and 121 Financial Ballpark to add the exhibition to the weekend of activities surrounding the annual Georgia-Florida football game that will be played Saturday at EverBank Stadium.
After Friday's exhibition, all those in attendance were treated to a 90's themed post-game concert featuring performances by Vanilla Ice, Young MC, Montell Jordan and Tone Loc.

Last year, the Gators won the baseball exhibition 8-4 while the Bulldogs defeated Florida 8-5 in the 2021 scrimmage. The 2020 contest was canceled due the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Florida posted a 5-3 decision before a crowd of 8,640 that also featured a post-game concert by country music star Brett Young and special guests.

Friday's contest marked the first of two fall exhibitions for the Bulldogs who began practice last month. On Sunday, Nov. 5, Georgia will conclude fall workouts with a free exhibition against Kennesaw State at Foley Field. First pitch for this matchup will be at noon.