The Gators and Aggies went to extra innings for the second time in their three-game series Sunday, but unlike the first time, Texas A&M came out victorious.
TAMU (17-8, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) clinched the series against Florida (15-9, 3-3 SEC) in an 11-inning, 4-3 win at Blue Bell Park in College Station, Texas.
The Aggies jumped out to an early lead against Gators left-hander Bobby Poyner, who made his first start since Feb. 28 against Illinois.
The junior had been successful in his seven subsequent relief appearances, giving up no runs in 9.1 innings, but Texas A&M tacked on a run in his first inning back in the rotation.
Florida came back to tie the game in the third inning on a single by second baseman Casey Turgeon, but Poyner could not hold TAMU.
The Aggies scored another run against the junior when he gave up a single to third baseman Blake Allemand and a double to shortstop Logan Taylor to start the bottom of the fourth inning.
Sophomore Aaron Rhodes replaced Poyner in the fifth after the left-hander surrendered a third run.
Despite the loss, the Gators’ right-hander may have pitched himself into the rotation thanks to his Sunday performance.
Rhodes pitched six innings and gave up only one run but got saddled with the loss.
He struck out a career-best six batters while walking only one.
The Gators trailed by a run going to the top of the ninth but forced extras with a small-ball rally.
Catcher Taylor Gushue singled, and coach Kevin O’Sullivan replaced him with Ryan Larson to try to get the tying run across.
Zack Powers advanced Larson to second on a sac bunt, and after Braden Mattson moved him to third with a single, Justin Shafer scored him with a bunt single.
Florida had a chance to score the go-ahead run in the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but Buddy Reed struck out and Mattson was picked off at third.
Rhodes continued his solid pitching into extra innings, but the Aggies eventually got the best of him.
The sophomore right-hander gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Nick Banks, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.
O’Sullivan brought in junior left-hander Danny Young, who surrendered the game-winning single to first baseman Cole Lankford to end the game in the 11th.
Florida will look to get back into its winning ways against Florida State (19-4, 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Jacksonville. UF defeated FSU 3-1 on March 18.
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Bobby Poyner pitches during Florida’s 4-0 win against Maryland on Feb. 14 at McKethan Stadium.
