Despite a familiar foe once again plaguing Florida in its most recent matchup versus Florida State, the top-ranked Gators outlasted the No. 4 Seminoles 5-4 in a dramatic walk-off win in extra innings Tuesday night in front of a record crowd of 5,930 at McKethan Stadium.
In a wacky game that included over-managing, questionable umpiring and a plethora of pitching changes, No. 1 UF ended its nemesis’ recent dominance with a comeback victory propelled by the hot-hitting Daniel Pigott.
The Gators (15-2) squandered multiple opportunities, leaving 13 men on base, but the junior went 3 for 4 with four RBIs, plating the tying and game-winning runs, including the 10th-inning single that scored Nolan Fontana.
“Daniel has been our hottest hitter so far, and he came through in the clutch again,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.
“It’s one we couldn’t let slip away. We had all these opportunities that at some point you’ve got to cash in against good teams.”
Similar to its recent previous losses against FSU (15-2), Florida was in an early hole thanks to a poor start by Alex Panteliodis.
The lefty fought constant pressure during his brief outing, failing to get out the leadoff hitter in every inning. Panteliodis tossed a 26-pitch first inning but escaped a bases-loaded jam with deep flyout to center field.
However, in the third inning, Florida State put up a four spot with a couple of bombs.
Following a two-run shot to right and opposite-field double to left, Panteliodis was pulled after just 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits.
Greg Larson entered and struck out the first batter he faced before FSU’s Justin Gonzalez crushed a two-run homer over the left-field bleachers.
But the game turned after Larson settled down. Despite giving up the bomb to Gonzalez, Larson pitched well in relief, throwing 3.2 innings and retiring the last eight batters in a row.
“The key to it was Larson settling things down,” O’Sullivan said. “After the two-run homer, he put three zeros on the board.”
The Gators chipped away with runs in the third and fourth, but they continually wasted valuable chances, struggled with breaking balls and off-speed pitches and consistently swung out in front of changeups and curveballs.
UF threatened in the fifth, but FSU right fielder James Ramsey, who also hit one of the two homers in the third, made a diving catch to save extra bases and end the scoring opportunity.
In the seventh, Mike Zunino hit a comebacker to the Seminoles sidearmer Daniel Bennett, stranding three runners on base.
“You could feel the frustration in the dugout,” O’Sullivan said.
The game got testy in the eighth when O’Sullivan contested vehemently to the umpire’s inconsistent strike zone. One batter later, Nick Maronde drilled FSU’s Stuart Tapley, who objected, nearly causing a brawl. UF assistant coach Brad Weitzel was ejected, then somehow was allowed to stay in the game.
But the Gators escaped further damage and captured the momentum when Preston Tucker gunned out a runner at the plate.
In the bottom half of the frame, Pigott smashed a single into center, tying the game and sending the raucous crowd into a frenzy.
Two innings and a combined 15 pitchers later, Pigott won the game for the Gators with a knock off the Seminoles’ hard-throwing closer.
“I knew [McGee] was going to give me a hard time up there, but you just have to go up there with your best mindset, knowing you’re better than the other guy and you’re going to win,” Pigott said.
Etc.: Following the game, O’Sullivan commented on Bryson Smith’s suspension after being charged with a DUI, saying, “We texted back and forth a little bit yesterday. I didn’t have a chance to meet with him yet. I’m going to meet with him tomorrow. We needed to focus on this game first, then we’ll deal with it.”
