Through the first four innings in the second game of the weekend series between Florida and Arkansas, it seemed like there was a pitcher’s duel on hand. That sentiment quickly unraveled as the Razorbacks struck for six runs in the top of the fifth inning and took the energy out of the home crowd.
The Gators (29-16, 7-13 SEC) were shut out by No. 5 Arkansas (37-8, 14-6) at Condron Ballpark 7-0 on Saturday, as Florida’s seven-game home winning streak was snapped to set up a rubber match in the series finale.
“We need a signature series win,” UF head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “That’s what’s in front of us. We need to come out tomorrow ready to play.”
Freshman right-hander Aidan King got the start on the mound for UF. He cruised through the first four innings, allowing just three singles with three strikeouts.
After King’s hot start, Arkansas got to him in the fifth inning. He hit the first batter of the frame before inducing what would have been a double play. However, senior third baseman Bobby Boser made a fielding error, allowing both runners to reach safely. Later in the inning, Razorbacks sophomore designated hitter Kuhio Aloy hit a two-run single followed by a sacrifice fly and an RBI double.
This ended King’s day, as O’Sullivan turned to freshman righty Jackson Barberi out of the bullpen to try to stop the bleeding. He was unable to do so, as the first batter he faced, pinch-hitter Cam Kozeal, blasted a no-doubt two-run homer. This capped off Arkansas’ six-run fifth inning.
Boser’s error in that inning proved costly, as King finished with five runs on his linescore — only one of which was earned. It was also one of a season-high four defensive miscues the Gators had on Saturday.
“We made three errors in the same inning,” O’Sullivan said. “Obviously, disappointing. Defensively, I don’t know where that came from, because we’ve been pretty clean the entire year.”
Arkansas tacked on another run in the eighth inning with freshman righty Carson Montsdeoca on the mound. The Razorbacks got a sacrifice fly from junior shortstop Wehiwa Aloy to add to their lead.
Florida’s lineup was shut down by Arkansas starting right-hander Gage Wood. Wood, who is recovering from an injury, only lasted three innings but was almost perfect in that span. He allowed just one baserunner, a double by UF junior second baseman Justin Nadeau, in the third inning.
The Gators had their first chance at cracking the scoreboard in the fifth inning, as they got back-to-back walks from junior designated hitter Brody Donay and sophomore center fielder Hayden Yost. However, two straight flyouts followed to strand both runners on base.
Florida had two runners on with nobody out in the sixth and failed to capitalize on the opportunity again. Freshman first baseman Brendan Lawson bounced into a double play and junior catcher Luke Heyman popped out to end the inning.
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The home fans thought UF scored its first run of the game in the eighth inning as sophomore first baseman Landon Stripling hit a double down the left-field line that plated Boser from first. After review, the call at the plate was overturned, and Boser was ruled out to keep the Gators off the scoreboard.
Florida mustered just five hits and one for extra bases in the game as the Arkansas pitching staff kept UF’s lineup at bay all day.
“The pitching was good for them,” O’Sullivan said. “The starter, we couldn’t lay off the high fastball. Gaeckle, obviously we know a lot about him and Jimenez at the end, his numbers are outstanding.”
This shutout loss for the Gators sets up a rubber match in the series finale on Sunday, where Florida will look to bounce back and win its third consecutive conference series. First pitch in Gainesville is scheduled for 1 p.m.
“It’ll come down to we just got to play cleaner baseball tomorrow, defensively,” O’Sullivan said. “Just limit the free passes, and some guys are going to have to step up at the plate, bottom line.”
Contact Hugh Green at hgreen@alligator.org. Follow him on X @HGreen_15
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Hugh is the Spring 2025 baseball beat reporter for The Alligator. He is a fourth-year journalism sports and media major. In his free time, Hugh enjoys watching all kinds of sports with his friends.
