Sunday was like déjà vu for Gators fans.
For the second time this season, No. 1 Florida (14-2) fooled its opponent with a hidden-ball trick in a crucial situation, as UF swept Rhode Island with an 8-6 win in McKethan Stadium.
Just like when Florida executed the playground trick against Boston College, Sunday’s feat came with two outs and after a game-tying RBI by the opposing team.
“As long as it keeps working, I’m all right with it,” junior Preston Tucker said. “They had a lot of momentum going. … Anything that can get us out of that inning can help us a ton.”
Holding on to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Florida starter Karsten Whitson (3-0, 2.21 ERA) allowed three straight Rams batters to reach base, walking catcher Milan Adams then giving up singles to third baseman Dan Haverstick and second baseman Pat Fortunato.
Fortunato singled to center to score Adams, squaring the game at 1-1 and giving the Rams two baserunners.
That’s when the Gators pulled off the sandlot tactic.
Center fielder Bryson Smith bobbled the ball in the outfield before tossing it to second baseman Josh Adams, who never gave the ball back to Whitson.
Moments later, Adams tagged Haverstick out at second to end the scoring threat and halt the Rams’ momentum.
“I really wasn’t planning on keeping it,” Adams said. “He just kind of got off the bag, and I tagged him. … Whenever you can take outs like that, you do it.”
Following the play, the Gators tacked on three unanswered runs over the next three innings to take a 4-1 advantage.
After closing the gap to 4-3 in the top of the sixth, it was Adams who again pulled the rug out from under URI. The senior belted a bases-clearing, three-RBI double to center to extend UF’s lead to 7-3.
“Momentum kind of swung our way,” said Adams, who led the Gators with seven RBIs on the weekend. “It was one of those things to get the team going and give everybody a little comfort feeling there at the end.”
URI threatened to nullify Adams’ efforts in the final two frames, as the Rams tagged freshman righty Matt Campbell for three runs in the eighth before right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (1.50 ERA) came in from the bullpen to record his second save of the season.
DeSclafani pitched 1.1 scoreless innings but allowed two runners to reach base in the ninth before striking out pinch hitter Greg Annarummo, giving the Gators their fourth straight weekend series sweep to open the season.
Etc.: The Gators tied a season high by stranding 12 runners on base, nine of whom were left in scoring position. … Mike Zunino is 4 for 4 stealing bases this season after swiping second in the fourth. … The Gators’ 14-2 start matches their best since 1992. … Righty Keenan Kish made his collegiate debut Saturday, while junior right-hander Justin Poovey made his first appearance Friday. Both tossed scoreless ninth innings.
