The Florida Gators needed a run scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to avoid its first loss in a season opener since 2013, but they came away with a win over William and Mary, 5-4 on Friday night.
Junior Alex Faedo, a presumed top-10 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft earned the start. Faedo led the Southeastern Conference with 13 wins in 2016 but was off his game Friday. Faedo gave up one hit in the first before getting out of the first. He retired the first two he faced in the second inning before Brandon Raquet launched an opposite field home run, giving the Tribe an early lead.