Karsten Whitson has finally returned to form.
The sophomore righthander yielded just one earned run in 4.2 innings, helping the Gators (35-12, 14-9 Southeastern Conference) defeat the Wildcats (36-11, 14-9 SEC) 5-1 and clinch the weekend series.
While Whitson pitched arguably his most impressive game of the season, it was the bullpen that shut down Kentucky.
Bobby Poyner, Greg Larson and Steve Rodriguez combined to throw 4.1 shutout innings, surrendering just two hits.
Florida needed the strong start by its pitching because its bats did not get going until the top of the eighth.
Tied at 1-1, Casey Turgeon led off the frame with a triple. Unable to advance on Jordan Schafer's groundout to second, Turgeon came home and broke the tie on a Josh Tobias RBI single.
Then, UF put it away in the ninth.
Preston Tucker led off the final inning with a walk and advanced to third on a Mike Zunino double. Brian Johnson then added an insurance run, flying out to center. Tucker scored and Zunino advanced to third.
Then, Jeff Moyer notched his second base hit of the season, scoring Zunino. After a Turgeon single to left, Moyer and Turgeon executed a double steal, putting two runners in scoring position for the Gators.
A sacrifice fly from Schafer capped the scoring for the game, setting the final at 5-1.
