Florida’s struggles in conference play have been well-documented. For most of its rough start against SEC opponents, the pitching has been the biggest issue. Whether it’s giving up late leads or being out-gunned in shootouts, the bats have not been the problem.
The script was flipped on Friday night, however, as UF couldn’t get anything going offensively. The Gators could not capitalize on the few opportunities they had with runners on base, and it resulted in a demoralizing loss.
Florida (20-12, 1-9 SEC) fell to No. 23 Vanderbilt (22-8, 5-5 SEC) at Condron Ballpark 6-0, as the Gators were shut out at home for the first time since April 23, 2022.
“I’m upset about it,” Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “I’ve been upset about it. We worked extremely hard this week to try to get things turned around. This is about as disappointing a game as I can remember.”
Sophomore right-hander Liam Peterson got the start for Florida. He struggled with command all night, surrendering a career-high five walks — two of which, came in the top of the third inning. After yet another walk, Vanderbilt junior center fielder RJ Austin blasted an RBI triple to left-center field that bounced off the glove of UF center fielder Hayden Yost. This scored the first run of the ballgame.
Two innings later, Austin struck again. Peterson issued a leadoff walk to the nine-hole hitter, who came around to score on an Austin double. The center fielder then crossed the plate in the ensuing at-bat as Vanderbilt junior first baseman hit a checked-swing single up the middle to plate the second run of the inning.
Peterson’s night was done after 5 1/3 innings. Despite the continued struggle with finding the strike zone, he struck out six batters and left with a three-run deficit. Sophomore left-hander Jacob Gomberg replaced him in the sixth inning before immediately surrendering a four-pitch walk, leading to O’Sullivan promptly pulling him.
Redshirt sophomore righty Jake Clemente came in for Gomberg and walked the first batter he faced as well. That loaded the bases, but he bounced back, striking out the next two Commodores to escape the frame unscathed.
“Bases loaded, and got a big strikeout,” O’Sullivan said. “But the walks are the things that are hurting everybody on our staff.”
Clemente allowed two more baserunners to reach in the seventh, but didn’t break again. He struck out a pair to keep Florida’s deficit at three. He began the eighth on the mound but walked the leadoff man, and was replaced by his high school teammate, redshirt freshman right-hander Christian Rodriguez.
Rodriguez faced three batters before being replaced. He struck out the first, walked the second and gave up an RBI single to Vanderbilt junior second baseman Mike Mancini.
Freshman righty Jackson Barberi followed on the mound for the Gators. After striking out the first batter he faced, Barberi gave up a single to Vanderbilt junior first baseman Riley Nelson, who scored two more for the Commodores. That extended their lead to six.
Vanderbilt’s pitching staff held Florida in check offensively all night. Commodores junior left-hander JD Thompson was lights out in his start. The southpaw tossed 4 2/3 scoreless frames, allowing just four hits with a pair of strikeouts.
The Gators threatened to score in the third inning, but a questionable baserunning decision ruined the opportunity. With a man on first and one out, junior shortstop Colby Shelton drilled one to right field and tried to stretch it into a double but was easily gunned down at second. Junior left fielder Blake Cyr then grounded out to shortstop to end the frame.
In the home half of the fifth, junior right fielder Ashton Wilson drew a 10-pitch walk to begin the inning and was followed by a single by Yost. Florida couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity as junior second baseman Justin Nadeau attempted a sacrifice bunt, but the lead runner was thrown out. Back-to-back strikeouts followed to end the chance.
“We tried to bunt Justin,” O’Sullivan said. “You gotta make the third baseman field it. He bunted it back towards the mound and he got the force out at third.”
Florida mustered seven hits on the night and had a runner reach third only once. The Gators also didn’t record an extra-base hit. Shelton and junior catcher Luke Heyman were the lone bright spots in the lineup, as they both had multiple hits. They each went 2-for-4 on the night with a pair of singles.
UF will look to avoid its fourth straight series loss to begin SEC play as it will take on the Commodores again at home on Saturday. Freshman right-hander Aidan King will get the ball for Florida against junior righty Cody Bowker for Vanderbilt. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
Contact Hugh Green at hgreen@alligator.org. Follow him on X @HGreen_15.
Hugh is the Spring 2025 baseball beat reporter for The Alligator. He is a fourth-year journalism sports and media major. In his free time, Hugh enjoys watching all kinds of sports with his friends.
