No. 4 Florida defeated Maine 6-1 on Saturday at McKethan Stadium to clinch its fourth consecutive weekend series of the season.
Starting pitcher A.J. Puk boosted his record on the mound to 3-1 after giving up just two hits and one earned run in 5.2 innings of work, striking out six in the process while walking just two.
The Gators (13-2) packed on four of their six runs in the second inning against the Black Bears (4-11).
Freshman Mike Rivera bunted in J.J. Schwarz to open up scoring and giving UF runners on the corners. Ryan Larson walked two at-bats later to load the bases before sophomore Buddy Reed hit a two-out, bases-clearing double to give the Gators a 4-0 advantage. Reed was thrown out at third on the play to end the inning.
UF’s final two runs came on a Josh Tobias RBI single in the third inning and a Christian Hicks RBI groundout.
Maine’s lone run came on a Luke Morrill home run in the fifth inning.
Florida looks to sweep the series on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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A.J. Puk pitches during Florida's 7-2 loss to Miami on Feb. 21 at McKethan Stadium.
