Florida baseball has advanced in the SEC Tournament.
Behind a three-home run day from the lineup, the Gators defeated Vanderbilt 8-3 to advance to the quarterfinals on May 20.
The Gators (38-18) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after Brendan Law hit an RBI double and Ethan Surowiec drove in a run from a fielder’s choice. In the following inning, Hayden Yost hit the first home run of the game.
Vanderbilt (33-25) tied the game in the fifth inning as the Commodores hit a 2-run double and an RBI triple with two outs to force UF’s starting pitcher Aidan King to exit the game. Yet Blake Cyr helped the Gators promptly answer in the bottom of the frame with a 2-run homer to give Florida a 5-3 lead.
King allowed three runs from five hits, three walks and recorded five strikeouts in 4.2 innings of work.
Florida added insurance with a 2-run RBI single by Cade Kurland in the seventh inning and a solo home run from Brendan Lawson in the eighth inning.
Here’s what happened in Florida’s win over Vanderbilt.
The Gators build an 8-3 lead after Cade Kurland hits a 2-run single in the seventh inning and Brendan Lawson homers in the eighth.
Florida retakes the lead in the bottom of the frame after Blake Cyr hit a 2-run homer to go up 5-3.
With two outs, Aidan King gives up a 2-run double and an RBI triple to tie the game at 3-3 in the fifth inning. Jackson Barberi enters the game in relief.
Hayden Yost hits a solo home run in the second inning to extend Florida’s lead to 3-0. That’s Yost’s 10th homer of the season.
The Gators take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after Brendan Lawson hit an RBI double and Ethan Surowiec drove in a run from a fielder’s choice.
RHP Aidan King (8-2, 2.50 ERA) vs RHP Tyler Baird (0-5, 4.81 ERA)
Florida vs Vanderbilt will be televised on the SEC Network. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. E.T. Tom Hart and Chris Burke will on the call.
However, the game will take place 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Mississippi State vs Missouri game, which begins at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
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