Friday night’s series opener between the No. 23 Gators and Vanderbilt in Nashville unexpectedly turned into a bullpen night for UF. Starting pitcher Hunter Barco exited the game after two innings while dealing with the aftereffects of an illness, according to coach Kevin O’Sullivan.
For six innings, their bullpen did a stellar job. They limited the Commodores to just two runs (one of them unearned) and struck out six batters. Vanderbilt went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position during the third through eighth innings against UF’s quartet of relievers.
Ultimately, though, a couple of ill-timed defensive mistakes and a couple of hits in the bottom of the ninth led to a familiar sight – their opponent celebrating a walk-off hit.