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Florida second baseman Josh Adams said South Carolina would come
into Gainesville bitter this weekend after the Gators celebrated a
Southeastern Conference title on the Gamecocks’ infield last
season.
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The way the Gamecocks played Friday night, it appeared Adams was
right.
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Fourth-ranked South Carolina (17-5, 3-1 SEC) tagged Brian Johnson
for seven runs (six earned), topping No. 1 Florida (20-3, 3-1 SEC)
9-2 in front of 5,586 fans in McKethan Stadium.
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“They outplayed us in every phase,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.
“They outpitched us, they outhit us and they played really good
defense. … It was one of those nights.”
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The Gamecocks attacked Johnson (4-1, 2.86 ERA) early on and it paid
off. Catcher Mike Zunino said the lefty was locating on most of his
pitches, but South Carolina’s hitters capitalized on Johnson
throwing around the plate.
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South Carolina put up a four spot against Johnson in the third
inning, and it propelled them to a series-opening win and handed
the Gators their first weekend loss of the season.
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South Carolina right fielder Adam Matthews sparked the Gamecocks’
offense with a leadoff triple before shortstop Peter Rooney singled
him in to put them on the board.
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Each of the first four batters South Carolina sent to the plate in
the third scored, capped off by a two-RBI single from catcher Brady
Thomas.
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The Gamecocks chased Johnson from the game with one down in the
sixth inning after the lefty gave up a leadoff bomb to Jake
Williams followed by a double and a walk.
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was the worst outing of the season for Johnson, who had allowed
five total runs in his previous five outings.
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While South Carolina had its way with Johnson, Florida’s hitters
were stifled by Gamecocks left-handed starter Michael Roth (5-1,
1.50).
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Roth pitched a season-high 8.1 innings of two-run ball and struck
out six Gators while scattering 10 hits.
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“He kept us off balance a lot and you just got to tip your cap to
him,” Adams said. “He did a great job and we didn’t make
adjustments.”
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The southpaw’s efforts ended Florida’s recent power surge at the
plate, but the Gators managed to string together a couple of runs
in the ninth when Zunino, Kamm Washington and Adams hit three
straight singles. Adams’ knock put UF on the scoreboard and Jeff
Moyer then plated the second run on a groundout to short.
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But that’s all Florida could muster against the defending College
World Series champions, as righty reliever John Taylor came in to
close out the game.
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“There’s nothing to say,” Adams said of Florida’s performance.
“Everybody knows that’s embarrassing.”
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The teams square off again tonight at 7, with righty Hudson Randall
(3-0, 0.85) taking the mound for Florida and lefty Steven Neff
(2-0, 2.49) toeing the rubber for South Carolina.
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Etc.: Zunino extended his hitting streak to 11
games with a 3-for-4 outing. The hit streak is one shy of his
career high. … Nolan Fontana’s fifth-inning double stretched his
hitting streak to a career-high nine games. … The 5,586 fans in
attendance was a McKethan Stadium record for an SEC game. …
Freshmen hurlers Keenan Kish and Daniel Gibson each tossed a
scoreless inning of relief.