Gators Stagger Kent State Bats
2/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Gainesville, Fla. - Evan Smith tossed four scoreless innings of relief, but Florida did its damage early in a 7-0 shutout of Kent State Saturday afternoon (Feb. 24) at McKethan Stadium. Each team recorded seven hits with the Gators' hits all coming at the right times.
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Florida took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when third basemen Clayton Pisani provided a sacrifice fly that scored teammate Avery Barnes from third. The Gators would add four more runs in the bottom of the second inning, aided by two Kent State errors.
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Dominique Rodgers (0-2) suffered the loss for Kent State. He pitched two innings, surrendering four hits, five runs, (two earned), three walks while striking out one Gator.
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Smith saw his first action on the mound of the 2007 season. He pitched the third through sixth innings, allowing only two hits. Ryan Steele also pitched an inning and a third, without giving up any hits.
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In the seventh inning, Florida second basemen Cole Figueroa hit a two-run homer off freshman hurler Robert Sabo. Figueroa finished 2-for-3 with three RBI on the afternoon.
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Senior catcher Will Vazquez led the KSU offense going 2-for-3.
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Florida starting pitcher Stephen Locke (1-1) picked up his first win of the season. He pitched seven innings, walked no one and struck out two Golden Flashes.
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The rubber game of the three game series will take place on Sunday at noon. Kent State will send Kyle Smith to the mound and will be opposed by Florida pitcher Billy Bullock.
