Splitting the first two games of the series, Florida defeated Miami 4-2 in Coral Gables, taking the finale of the weekend series. The Gators' success this weekend came as a result of great pitching.
Florida (7-2) had two sophomores and a freshman pitching this weekend. Sunday, sophomore Tommy Toledo got the ball, his biggest start following shoulder surgery that caused a medical redshirt last season. Toledo was not dominant, but effective in going five innings and allowing five hits, two runs (1 ER), one walk and stroking out four. Toledo left the game with a 3-1 lead after 3B Bryson Smith hit a three-run homer in the fifth. It was Smith's second homer and sixth RBI of 2010.
Kevin Chapman followed with four innings in relief, keeping the Hurricanes (7-3) off-balance and creating ground ball outs. Chapman allowed one hit and struck out two for his second save this season. Toledo moves to 2-0 in three starts.
Saturday evening's 9-6 loss to the Canes was the only bump for UF, as freshman Brian Johnson allowed six hits and five runs (2 ER). He did show flashes of brilliance by striking out five in 4.2 innings. UF had a 3-2 lead after scoring three in the fifth, but Miami scored six in the next two innings to ice it.
Sophomore southpaw Alex Panteliodis had the weekend's best performance Friday in UF's 7-1 win. Panteliodis held UM hitless in the first four innings, finishing with two hits, one earned run in 5.2 innings. He also had eight strikeouts and two walks. He moved to 3-0, but his first win as a starter in 2010. Sophomore Nick Maronde, who has struggled, earned the save with 3.1 IP scoreless.
The Gators have a pair of games against Illinois State this week, with Charleston Southern coming in on the weekend.