The Gators put themselves in a hole for the second straight game on Saturday.
Luckily for them, Jay Carmichael didn’t let it get any deeper.
The freshmen right-hander picked up the win by throwing 5.2 impressive innings of relief as Florida (8-8) came from behind to beat Indiana 6-4 and even the weekend series at McKethan Stadium.
“Today was probably the best game we’ve had as far as — we kind of hung with it,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.
The Hoosiers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to three straight hits and an RBI groundout. They chased UF starter Tucker Simpson after left fielder Kyle Schwarber, who started the series 6-for-6 at the plate, gave IU a 3-0 lead with an RBI single in the top of the third.
O’Sullivan then replaced Simpson with Carmichael, who induced a 6-4-3 double play after hitting the first batter he faced.
“I thought Carmichael was outstanding,” O’Sullivan said. “… Kind of settled things down for us. You could kind of tell the team got a little bit of a lift when he came in.”
Third baseman Josh Tobias then led off the bottom of the third inning with a single to center and proceeded to steal second base. He advanced to third on a Cody Dent single and scored when Slegers’ attempt to pick off Dent got by first baseman Sam Travis.
Florida then tied it at 3 after Dent scored on a double to right center by Turgeon, who came home following s dingle by Taylor Gushue.
Carmichael proceeded to retire eight of the next 10 batters he faced including Schwarber, who he struck out looking on a breaking ball.
“I threw my curveball for strikes against him,” Carmichael said of his approach against Schwarber. “Also threw fastballs down trying to give Turgeon and Dent some ground ball.”
In 23.2 innings this season, Carmichael has posted an ERA of just 1.90, which is the best of all UF pitchers who have thrown at least 10 innings on the season. His 5.2 innings were a career high two more than any Gator has thrown in relief this season. He struck out four batters and allowed just one run.
Gushue led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball two batters later. Freshmen designated hitter Kevin Stypulkowski drove him in with a single to center.
Hoosiers reliever Ryan Halstead hit both Tobias and Dent later in the inning to load the bases and Turgeon drove in both Stypulkowski and Tobias with a single to give UF a 6-3 lead. Turgeon finished the game 4-for-4 after going 2-for-4 on Friday night.
“He stayed on top of the ball,” O’Sullivan said of Turgeon. “I though he centered the ball really good tonight, and we needed that. After coming back from a tough loss last night, you need a guy to step up and have a great game, and he did.”
Florida will look to take the rubber match tomorrow at 1. They’ll send freshman Eric Hanhold to the mound against Indiana’s Kyle Hart. O’Sullivan said like Saturday, he just wants Hanhold to put the relievers in a position to do their job.
“We’re not looking for perfection, just a quality start O’Sullivan said. “You know, six innings and just hand it over to the bullpen.”
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
Sophomore second baseman Casey Turgeon throws the ball to first base during Florida’s 4-2 win against Florida Gulf Coast on Mar. 9, 2012, at McKethan Stadium. Turgeon had four hits and three RBI during a 6-4 victory against Indiana on Saturday.
