Sweep Sunday: Gators claim first weekend sweep of 2023

On3 imageby:Nick de la Torre02/19/23

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Backed by an outstanding pitching debut from starter Jac Caglianone, No. 7 Florida defeated Charleston Southern by a score of 8-0 to open the campaign with a series sweep at Condron Family Ballpark on Sunday afternoon.
 
Caglianone was dominant from start to finish, shutting down the Buccaneers (0-3) across 6 2/3 frames while maintaining upper-90s velocity. His nine strikeouts were the most by a Gators pitcher in a career debut since Karsten Whitson struck out nine himself vs. South Florida on Feb. 20, 2011.
 
Florida’s hot offense stayed on track in game three, opening with a two-run frame in the first. With Josh Riveta and BT Riopelle on the bases, Ty Evans came through with a two-run double down the left field line. The Gators (3-0) made it 3-0 in the second, as Luke Heyman used a triple to left field to notch his first-career hit and RBI.
 
Starting strong on the hill, Caglianone worked a clean first inning with his first-two career strikeouts. He did not allow a hit until the third inning, striking out five batters through three.
 
From there, Caglianone remained in control throughout the duration of the start. The southpaw churned out one-two-three innings in the fourth and sixth, taking eight strikeouts into the seventh. He recorded his ninth punchout in the seventh before being lifted in favor of right-handed reliever Blake Purnell with two men down.
 
Purnell quickly induced an inning-ending groundout, bringing up the Gator bats in the bottom half. Heyman and Michael Robertson picked up hits, followed by a Wyatt Langford walk to load the bases. That allowed BT Riopelle to bring in a run with a walk while Josh Rivera extended the lead with a sac fly to right. Evans joined the hits parade as well, doubling in a pair with a rocket down the left-field line. Cade Kurland provided the game’s final run with an RBI infield single to score Evans, making it 8-0 in favor of Florida.
 
The relief tandem of Purnell and Brandon Neely put the finishing touches on the shutout, combining for 2 1/3 innings of work. Purnell worked one frame with one strikeout, while Neely tossed the final 1 1/3 innings.

Notes

  • Florida’s 37 total runs scored marks the team’s most through three games since opening the 2015 season with 38 runs.
    • The Gators outscored the Bucs, 37 to 5, across the three-game set.
  • The Gators start 3-0 for the first time since the 2020 campaign.
  • This past weekend, UF starting pitchers struck out 22 batters over 17 1/3 innings while allowing a total of just six hits.
  • Making his collegiate debut on the mound, Caglianone produced 6 2/3 scoreless innings with just two hits allowed.
  • Caglianone’s nine strikeouts were the most by a Florida pitcher in his debut since Karsten Whitson struck out nine vs. South Florida on Feb. 20, 2011
  • Heyman went 2-for-3 with one triple and one RBI, registering the first hits of his career.
  • Evans tied his career high with four RBI – his second-straight game doing so.
  • Florida has scored in 14 of 21 innings to open the season (66.7%).
  • Under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan Florida improves to 41-7 in the season-opening series during his tenure.
  • Florida welcomed a crowd of 5,458 fans on Sunday.

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