Down 8-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning Tuesday night, the Gators needed a jolt of energy.
After the first two men reached base, shortstop Deacon Liput stepped into the batter’s box to face off against USF right-hander Carson Ragsdale. On a 3-2 fastball, Liput scorched it back into right field on a low trajectory.
But the ball continued to rocket farther and farther toward the 325-foot marker on the wall until it eventually vanished with a dull thud, hitting against the light pole just beyond the padding for a three-run homer to drag Florida back within a swing of tying the game.
It was the spark that proved to be the catalyst for UF (39-11) as it took down in-state foe 11-8 at McKethan Stadium.
The Gators didn’t dilly-dally long after Liput’s drive out to right. Against a fresh pitcher from USF (29-16) in the bottom of the seventh, Liput provided another offensive boost for his teammates, but perhaps in the most opposite way from his earlier dinger. Tied at eight apiece with men on first and second and one out, Liput laid down a bunt back to the mound, intending to advance both runners.
Left-handed pitcher Kevin King scooped up the roller and made a wild throw over to first base, missing wide of his target and allowing both runners to cross home plate for a pair of unearned runs to give UF its first lead of the night. Liput ended the game going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two walks.
Florida’s night didn’t start with that type of luck. Right-hander Tyler Dyson lasted just 0.1 innings after he allowed five of the first six USF batters to reach base. He gave up three walks, a single and an RBI double before his early departure.
After Dyson, a myriad of Gators relievers contributed toward keeping the game manageable. Freshman Tommy Mace gave up two runs on three hits and a walk before he was pulled in the third inning. Sophomore Andrew Baker claimed the most time on the mound of UF pitchers on the night, going 2.1 innings from the third inning into the fifth. He gave up two hits and a run.
Freshman Jordan Butler was Florida’s fifth pitcher of the night, but the left-hander picked up the win, going two innings and striking out three without allowing a run.
Closer Michael Byrne earned his 12th save of the season, entering in the eighth inning to complete the six-out save. He allowed one hit and struck out two while protecting the slim lead.
The win marks the biggest deficit overcome by the Gators since March 24, 2010 when they came back from an 8-0 hole to beat FGCU 13-8.
Florida returns to McKethan Stadium Friday night to host Georgia in UF’s final regular-season home series.
Follow Morgan McMullen on Twitter @MorganMcMuffin and contact him at mmcmullen@alligator.org.
Shortstop Deacon Liput was perfect from the plate Tuesday night against USF, going 3-of-3 with three RBIs and scoring two runs.
