Jacksonville Dolphins Fall to Orange and Blue
Yesterday the Gators went to Jacksonville to play the Jacksonville University Dolphins, beating them by a score of 10-4. The Gators survived a potential pitfall in a show of startling defense. The 4-0 Gators seem to be knocking down every opponent they play on offense, but games like these never leave you feeling happy. The only statement my mind has after this game is, “If we played like this on Omaha, we’d lose by run rule”.
The Dolphins got out to an early 2-0 lead at the bottom of the first. Starting pitcher Billy Barlow gave up two runs in a display of the early-season defensive errors that the Gators are starting to trademark. Barlow, a senior transfer who played his first three years of eligibility out at Clemson, hit the leadout batter (Center Fielder Jaden Bastian). He managed to get the second batter to ground out, but Bastian advanced to second. Barlow struck out the next batter, but the batter was able to still make it to first on a passed ball, allowing Bastian to make it to third. With runners on the corners, Barlow proceeded to walk the next two batters to both walk in a run and load up the bases. An error by third baseman Bobby Boser allowed the Dolphins to score yet another run, before the Gators finally turned two to end the inning.
Quite frankly, the Gators have been great. The pitching, even if shaky at times, didn’t give up a single earned run in this first inning. But it is totally unacceptable to be playing like this. Could you imagine if this was Omaha? Hitting a batter, letting a batter get to first when you strike them out, walking in a run, and letting a run score via error is just not how you play baseball.
Luckily, Brody Donay exists. He and Bobby Boser both went yard to tie the game up for the Gators at the top of the fifth, before the Gators would eventually pull away. Solid offensive contact hitting and baserunning gave the Gators a commanding lead which they wouldn’t give up, even if they tried their very hardest to on defense.
Right-Handed Pitcher #34 Alex Philpott on the mound for the Gators, from @GatorsBB on Twitter/X
The Gators proceeded to give up two more unearned runs, with Dolphins scoring on a balk and an error by second baseman Cade Kurland. Out of the four runs scored against the Orange and Blue, every single one was unearned. Even if this speaks volumes about poor defensive performance, it also speaks volumes about the pitching. Billy Barlow did an alright job as the starter, even if he put himself in a jam with some walks. Most notably, this game is the first to feature freshman Aidan King. King, who many thought would start this season, is the top new ace for the Gators. He pitched two innings in relief, only allowing two hits and zero walks. Unfortunately he was the victim of one of the many defensive blunders, letting in an unearned run.
The Gators leave Jacksonville with a win and 4-0 record, as well as Brody Donay’s Home Run streak remaining intact at four games. It’s hard to be happy with the product you’re watching half of the time, but the record is still 4-0 and that’s really what counts. Today the Gators were meant to face the Florida A&M Rattlers in Gainesville, although the game has been postponed due to rainout threat. The game will now be played Wednesday, March 19th, in Gainesville.
