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Six-run first inning powers Florida Gators to 8-2 win at No. 1 Texas

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi05/10/25ZachAbolverdi
Florida-Gators-Luke-Heyman
Florida's Luke Heyman. (Photo by @GatorsBB/UAA Communications)

Entering with a four-series winning streak, the Florida Gators took the series opener Friday at No. 1 Texas with an 8-2 win. The Gators had a six-spot in the first inning and are now 14-3 (11-2 SEC) across their last 17 games.

The Gators had 3 RBI apiece from Hayden Yost and Justin Nadeau. Yost, the SEC Player of the Week, led the team with three hits and Ty Evans had a pair of doubles, including an RBI for Florida’s first run scored of the night.

Billy Barlow led the Gators with six Ks and Pierce Coppola earned the win with two scoreless frames. Coppola was one of four UF pitchers with at least three strikeouts, along with Luke McNeillie and Christian Rodriguez.

Games two and three will be carried by SEC Network+ at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday.

Below are live updates from the Gators (34-17, 12-13 SEC) vs. Texas (39-9, 19-6 SEC).

Florida vs. Texas Live Blog

End of 9th: Florida 8, Texas 2

The Gators turned to fifth pitcher of the night, Christian Rodriguez, in the ninth. He struck out three batters for the final outs of the game. Florida combined for 16 Ks as a pitching staff.

End of 8th: Florida 8, Texas 2

Lawson singled to right center, Florida’s first hit since the fourth inning, but was left stranded. McNeillie gave up a leadoff walk and an RBI single to Casey Borba, though he still tossed two strikeouts in the eighth.

End of 7th: Florida 8, Texas 1

Luke McNeillie replaced Jackson Barberi after just three batters and threw a strikeout to help close the frame. Barlow had one of his best outings, finishing with six Ks, two hits, one run and one walk in 4.0 innings (64 P, 38 S).

End of 6th: Florida 8, Texas 1

Three up and three down again for Barlow, who has retired 10 in a row. The Gators got a 3-6 double play on a great throw by Donay. Saunier also pitched another 1-2-3 frame and has retired seven straight batters.

End of 5th: Florida 8, Texas 1

Barlow threw his second 1-2-3 frame in a row and struck out all three Texas batters. He’s now up to five Ks through three innings. Longhorns pitcher Grayson Saunier also fanned the side in the fifth.

End of 4th: Florida 8, Texas 1

The Gators have scored in three of the first four innings after the third RBI by Yost on a single up the middle. Yost is now 3-for-3 at the plate. Florida pitcher Billy Barlow hurled his first 1-2-3 frame of the game after a great catch by Cyr for the final out.

End of 3rd: Florida 7, Texas 1

After a leadoff double by Yost, the Florida Gators scored their seventh run with Nadeau’s second RBI hit of the game — this time a double down the right field line. The Longhorns scored for the first time on a triple by Adrian Rodriguez after Blake Cyr unsuccessfully tried to make a diving catch in left field.

End of 2nd: Florida 6, Texas 0

Coppola tossed his second scoreless frame and threw his third strikeout. Texas pitcher Max Grubbs then struck out three straight UF batters but was pulled after the second inning to preserve his arm for the rest of the weekend.

End of 1st: Florida 6, Texas 0

Florida had a six-spot in the first on four hits, four walks and a hit by pitch. UF went through 12 batters and the Longhorns pulled starter Ruger Riojas after 35 pitches. Evans scored the Gators’ first runs with a 2 RBI double and then both Yost and Nadeau hit 2 RBI singles. Coppola got the Friday night start and fanned two batters. Brendan Lawson, who struck twice in the first, located a foul ball to make the catch for the final out with the bases loaded.

Florida Gators Starting Lineup

1. SS Bobby Boser
2. 3B Brendan Lawson
3. C Luke Heyman
4. DH Ty Evans
5. LF Blake Cyr
6. 1B Brody Donay
7. CF Hayden Yost
8. RF Ashton Wilson
9. 2B Justin Nadeau

SP: LHP Pierce Coppola

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