It wasn’t the start Alex Faedo envisioned.
Taking the mound in Florida’s SEC opener in Auburn, Alabama, on Friday, UF’s junior ace suffered one of the worst losses of career as the Gators fell 14-3 to the Tigers.
For Faedo, his six earned runs allowed in four innings pitched ballooned the 1.37 ERA he entered the game with, and No. 5 Florida’s bullpen didn’t fare much better.
It started with freshman Kirby McMullen, who recorded one out and allowed three earned runs. He was relieved by Nick Horvath, who also recorded one out but allowed two more runs.
Finally, Nick Long finished the game’s final three innings by allowing three more earned runs.
The Gators also struggled on offense, amassing five total hits. Auburn starter Keegan Thompson was especially effective, allowing one earned run in 6 and ⅓ innings of work. Although things started well for UF (13-6).
The Gators picked up the game’s first run courtesy of a miscue by Auburn (15-5) left fielder Jay Estes. Tracking a routine fly ball off the bat of UF freshman Keegan Bell, Estes backpedaled and got under it at the sunny warning track. The ball snuggled into his glove but slipped out before it was secure. He reached for it with his bare hand but missed, having to settle for an error and an expletive-aided toss back to the infield.
Following a sacrifice bunt to move Bell to third, first baseman Christian Hicks drove him in with a line-drive single up the middle, giving the Gators an early lead.
But from there, it was all Auburn.
UF third baseman Jonathan India picked up a solo home run, and Hicks picked up another RBI later in the game, but that was all the scoring for the Gators.
The loss dropped Florida’s road record to 0-4 and sullied Faedo’s season-opening undefeated streak.
The Gators will try to win their first road game tomorrow with Brady Singer on the mound in a rematch with Auburn scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Contact Ethan Bauer at ebauer@alligator.org or follow him on Twitter @ebaueri
UF pitcher Alex Faedo throws a pitch during Florida's 5-4 win against William & Mary on Feb. 17, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.
