Gator Baseball Defeats FSU, Season Series Tied 1-1

Losing 5-2 after two innings, the Gators rallied Tuesday night, defeating Florida State 8-5. The teams have split the first two games of the season series, with games remaining at Tallahassee and Jacksonville.

The Gators (13-3) began their rally in third inning when Preston Tucker hit his second homer of the season. UF took the lead in the fourth inning when two singles and two sacrifice flies scored three runs. Tucker was 2 for 3 with 4 RBI, Josh Adams was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI including a 2-run homer in the first inning. 

FSU (13-3) had success against UF freshman Hudson Randall. He went four innings and allowed 5 runs on 6 hits. The Gator offense and pitchers Nick Maronde and Kevin Chapman picked him up. Maronde got his first win as he worked around 3 walks in two innings, not allowing a hit or run. Chapman earned his third save with three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. 

Today's win is a lone bright spot this week as UF pitcher Tommy Toledo will have to undergo surgery to repair facial fractures after being hit with a line drive on Sunday. Toledo's face is still too swollen for doctors to perform any procedures.