Auburn and Florida Win on Walk-Off Home Runs
By Baron Dionis
The fourth ranked Florida Gators began their weekend series against the Saint Mary's Gaels with a big walkoff win.
Cade Fisher got the start for the Gators and struggled. In five innings of work, Fisher struck out eight batters and gave up seven hits, two walks, and four earned runs. Jameson Fisher got the win out of the pen in one inning of work.
Derik Eaquinto got the start for the Gaels and he struggled aswell. In four innings of work, Eaquinto struck out four batters and gave up seven hits, two walks, and six earned runs.
The scoring began in the first inning for both teams as the Gaels jumped in front with a run scoring single from Ryan Pierce and a sacrifice fly out from Coleman Schmidt. The Gators got a run scoring double from Luke Heyman and two run scoring singles from Colby Shelton and Ty Evans.
Saint Mary's got two more runs in the second inning with a double from Connor Harrison and a run scoring error. Florida again responded with a run scoring groundout and a two run double from Brody Donay.
The Gators would score three unanswered runs in the fourth, sixth, and seventh innings from a home run from Colby Shelton and run scoring singles from Ty Evans and Cade Kurland.
Going into the eigth inning, the Gators are winning 9-5, but the Gaels did not back down. Gavin Napier hit a sacrifice flyout to give Saint Mary's another run.
In the ninth inning, the Gaels started the scoring off with a two-run triple by Aiden Taurek. Chris Esquivel tied the game with a sacrifice flyout, making the score 9-9.
Holding the Gators scoreless in the ninth, Christian Almanza comes up to plate for Saint Mary's. He sends a ball into the seats to give the Gaels a 11-9 lead.
In the bottom of the tenth, the Gators get Jac Caglianone and Armando Albert on base for Colby Shelton. Shelton, who hit a home run earlier in the game, hits another home run to win the game for the Gators.
The Florida Gators win, 12-11, courtesy of Colby Shelton's, two homer game. The Gators record goes up to 9-4 and the Gaels drop to 8-5.