In a rain shortened game, the top-ranked Florida Gators (7-1) used some power to overtake the William & Mary Tribe (2-5) 5-3. The game was stopped with two outs in the top of the sixth due to heavy rain and unplayable field conditions. Starting pitcher Karsten Whitson lasted only 2/3 of an inning, allowing one run on two hits and a walk. Stephen Rodriguez (2-0) picked up the slack and the win pitched 3 1/3 innings while allowing one run on one hit and four strikeouts. Jason Inghram (0-2) picked up the loss for the Tribe giving up four runs on six hits. The three game sweep of William & Mary marked the first sweep on the season for Florida and marks the end of their season opening eight game homestand.
W&M started off the scoring in the first inning when Michael Katz hit an RBI single. UF struck back in the bottom of the third with Nolan Fontana's two-run home run to put the Gators up 1-0. The Tribe knotted the game up at two in the fourth because of a Rodriguez balk which scored Tadd Bower. Florida returned with two more in the bottom of the inning to put the score at 4-2. Justin Shafer put the Gators ahead for good with a RBI single scoring Austin Maddox and Cody Dent home.
Preston Tucker showed his light tower power with a shot to right giving Florida a 5-2 lead. The homer was Tucker's fifth of the young season and eighth RBI, both of which lead the team. Katz answered with a leadoff home run in the sixth to put the game at the final score of 5-3 before the torrential downpour came about.
Florida gets the week off in preparation for this weekend's series with the number eight Miami Hurricanes (7-0) in Coral Gables at Alex Rodriguez Park. Friday and Saturday's games will be at 7 p.m., while Sunday's game starts at one and will be featured on Fox Sports Florida. In the opening game, the Gators will most likely send Hudson Randall (1-0, 3.00 ERA) to the mound while the 'Canes will probably Eric Erickson (2-0, 0.00 ERA) to the bump.