With strong play from its relievers and help from several early inning runs, Florida earned its second win against Fairfield Wednesday night.
The No. 2 Gators (16-2) extended their winning streak to a season-high six games in its 6-1 win over the Stags (0-5).
Florida opened scoring in the third inning, when Dalton Guthrie doubled down the left-field line, sending Logan Browning home from third base.
Richie Martin followed Guthrie’s lead with an RBI double to right-center field, scoring Guthrie, who led the team with three hits and an RBI.
"I think we had a good approach today," Guthrie said. "We got some knocks and stringed some good innings together."
The Gators increased their lead to 3-0 in the fourth when Mike Rivera sent JJ Schwarz home from first after a double to deep left-center field.
Soon after, Rivera was caught in a rundown between third and home but eventually scored after a throwing error from Fairfield’s second baseman.
The Stags put up their lone run in the seventh inning on a RBI single to center field. But with no outs and a runner at third, right-hander Danny Young retired the side.
Ryan Larson increased Florida’s lead to five with a two-run RBI single in the eighth.
In his first career start, right-hander Alex Faedo gave up two hits, no runs and struck out five batters in three innings. The freshman was limited to 52 pitches.
"(Faedo) was really crisp and sharp, and that’s what we’ve been kind of used to seeing," coach Kevin O’Sullivan said.
"...He’s got a chance to be a Friday night guy in this league, and those guys don’t come around very often."
Right-hander Mike Vinson relieved Faedo to start the fourth, and gave up just one hit in three innings.
Danny Young, Brett Morales and Bobby Poyner also made appearances on the mound for the Gators, allowing a combined three hits and one run.
Florida will open Southeastern Conference play with a three game series against Tennessee beginning on Friday.
“We’re ready to go. That’s what we play for, to win a championship in the SEC,” Martin said. “We’ll be prepared… and we’ll see what Tennessee’s got.”
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Dalton Guthrie swings at a pitch during Florida's 8-7 win against Fairfield on March 10 at McKethan Stadium. Guthrie scored the go-ahead run for Florida in its 9-7 win against Vanderbilt on Saturday.
