Vickash Ramjit ended his power drought at an ideal time for the Gators.
The senior first baseman hit his first home run in more than three weeks to help power Florida (13-16, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) to a 4-0 victory against Ole Miss on Sunday at McKethan Stadium, sealing UF’s first SEC series win of 2013.
“It felt pretty good,” Ramjit said of his first home run since a 4-1 loss to Indiana on March 8. “But the win felt better.”
In the second inning, left fielder Connor Mitchell walked to lead off the frame and designated hitter Mike Fahrman followed with a double. Cody Dent then walked to load the bases. However, the Gators came out of the inning with nothing to show for it as Casey Turgeon flew out to right and Harrison Bader grounded into a double play.
“Percentage of scoring one run (in that situation) is 90 percent or better,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “That doesn’t happen very often. It kind of gave Ole Miss some momentum.”
Catcher Taylor Gushue led off the next inning with a walk and then scored on a throwing error following a double to left from Justin Shafer. Ramjit sent a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence two batters later to put Florida up 4-0.
“To answer back right after we had bases loaded, nobody out was huge,” O’Sullivan said. “It gave us some momentum. We didn’t let two or three innings slip by where we didn’t score. It could’ve easily turned into that because when you don’t score and you have bases loaded with nobody out, it’s kind of lingering… (Ramjit) kind of erased that the next inning.”
Ramjit added a double in the eighth inning. He had not recorded an extra-base hit since his homer against Indiana. His last RBI that came on a hit before Sunday’s home run came in a 6-2 loss to Kentucky on March 17.
Ramjit also made multiple key plays at first base on Sunday. He went deep into foul territory in right field to catch a foul ball in the third inning and made a diving stop on a grounder and threw to Johnny Magliozzi, who was covering first base, to end the game.
“We take over 100 ground balls a day,” Ramjit said. “Defense is a big part of our game.”
Fahrman Seizing Opportunity: Freshman designated hitter Mike Fahrman didn’t have a hit through the first 26 games of the season. After Florida’s two wins this weekend, he is swinging one of the hottest bats on the team.
Fahrman started just one game prior to the Ole Miss series, but O’Sullivan put him in at DH on Saturday and Sunday. Fahrman went 3 for 6 with two doubles during the weekend. O’Sullivan said Fahrman earned his playing time.
“He’s doing everything he possibly can to help out his teammates,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s always in the bullpen. He’s one of those guys the other guys always root for. I’m very pleased and happy for him.”
Martin’s return nearing: Freshman shortstop Richie Martin, who has not been in Florida’s starting lineup in the last 17 games after breaking a finger in a 6-3 win against Miami on March 3, pinch ran for Fahrman in the sixth inning on Sunday. It was his second pinch running appearance of the series.
At the time of his injury, Martin led the team with 13 hits and was third to Justin Shafer and Zack Powers with a .342 batting average.
O’Sullivan did not know when Martin would be returning to the lineup, but said it would be soon.
“I’m assuming he’s very close,” O’Sullivan said. “Whether that’s Tuesday or next weekend, I don’t know. But he’s getting there.”
Contact Josh Jurnovoy at jjurnovoy@alligator.org.
First baseman Vickash Ramjit bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss at McKethan Stadium on Sunday. Ramjit went 1 for 11 at the plate against Auburn.
