- Sep 8, 2014
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Big blast in 8th inning gives UF the runs needed to win. Down 5-3, Schwartz grand slam puts UF up 7-5...
http://floridagators.com/news/2017/4/22/baseball-schwarz-grand-slam-lifts-gators.aspx
Schwarz's Grand Slam Lifts Gators to Series Win
Florida takes two of three against SEC East rival South Carolina.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—JJ Schwarz hit a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to propel No. 10 Florida to a 7-5 win over No. 18 South Carolina on Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville.
With the win, the Gators took the series over the Gamecocks and improved to 27-13 on the year with a 10-8 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
After letting multiple opportunities slip by earlier in the game, Schwarz finally capitalized when the Gators needed it most.
The first UF batters reached base in the eighth inning as the Gators trailed 5-3. Schwarz stepped in and lined a fastball into the left field bleachers to clear the bases and give Florida a 7-5 lead.
It was Schwarz's second career grand slam and his fifth home run in eight career games against South Carolina.
Nelson Maldonado hit a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Chris Cullen's two-run homer in the seventh gave South Carolina a late lead.
After Schwarz's grand slam, sophomore Michael Byrne entered and retired the side in the ninth for his eighth save of the season.
Florida starter Jackson Kowar had a career-high 98 pitches and allowed five runs in 6.1 innings. Nick Horvath worked a scoreless inning and freshman Garrett Milchin retired both batters he faced.
The Gamecocks took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. LT Tolbert hit a bloop double, just out of the reach of center fielder Austin Langworthy, that allowed TJ Hopkins to score from first.
After a balk was called on Jackson Kowar, a RBI groundout from Carlos Cortes made it 2-0 Gamecocks.
Florida got a run back in the second. After loading the bases with no outs, Christian Hicks grounded into a double play and Ryan Larson scored from third.
The Gators tied the game 2-2 with a run in the third after loading the bases again. Larson hit a chopper over the pitcher's head that scored Deacon Liput.
South Carolina retook the lead with a run in the fifth inning. Hopkins led off with a single to right field. It appeared that the Gators would escape with no damage on a line drive double play to first but the umpire called a balk and it was ruled no pitch.
After Hopkins advanced to second, Cortes took advantage of his additional chance and doubled into right field to give the Gamecocks a 3-2 lead.
Florida settled down and Kowar got out of the inning without further damage then worked a scoreless top of the sixth inning.
Florida hits the road again next weekend for a three-game series in Athens against the Georgia Bulldogs. Friday's opener is at 7 p.m. and will stream online via SEC Network+, accessible through the WatchESPN app.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan
"A lot of positives today … First, from a pitching standpoint, to get Jackson into the seventh inning, I thought he threw the ball well. I know he probably wants the one pitch back to Cullen. We misplayed a couple balls in the outfield, some infield hits. I was really pleased with how he threw the ball and got us into the seventh inning. Horvath came in and did his job, then Garrett Milchin throws two pitches, faces two batters, and gets two ground balls to get out of the inning. Michael keeps his poise and gets a double play ball to arguably their best hitter at the plate. And I think we only walked two the entire day and played errorless ball. From a pitching standpoint, it's good to see those guys come out of the pen and do good. I'm really excited for Jackson to get to almost 100 pitches into the seventh.
"Offensively, we were probably helped with eight walks or so from their staff. Nelly hit the home run to tie it up at three, and then JJ, he's been working awfully hard. It was good to see a smile on his face again. He's been working awfully hard in the cages on his own and with the coaches. For him to come through in a situation like that, not only does it make him feel good, but it makes his teammates and everybody around him, his coaches, feel good."
http://floridagators.com/news/2017/4/22/baseball-schwarz-grand-slam-lifts-gators.aspx
Schwarz's Grand Slam Lifts Gators to Series Win
Florida takes two of three against SEC East rival South Carolina.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.—JJ Schwarz hit a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to propel No. 10 Florida to a 7-5 win over No. 18 South Carolina on Saturday afternoon at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville.
With the win, the Gators took the series over the Gamecocks and improved to 27-13 on the year with a 10-8 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
After letting multiple opportunities slip by earlier in the game, Schwarz finally capitalized when the Gators needed it most.
The first UF batters reached base in the eighth inning as the Gators trailed 5-3. Schwarz stepped in and lined a fastball into the left field bleachers to clear the bases and give Florida a 7-5 lead.
It was Schwarz's second career grand slam and his fifth home run in eight career games against South Carolina.
Nelson Maldonado hit a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but Chris Cullen's two-run homer in the seventh gave South Carolina a late lead.
After Schwarz's grand slam, sophomore Michael Byrne entered and retired the side in the ninth for his eighth save of the season.
Florida starter Jackson Kowar had a career-high 98 pitches and allowed five runs in 6.1 innings. Nick Horvath worked a scoreless inning and freshman Garrett Milchin retired both batters he faced.
The Gamecocks took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. LT Tolbert hit a bloop double, just out of the reach of center fielder Austin Langworthy, that allowed TJ Hopkins to score from first.
After a balk was called on Jackson Kowar, a RBI groundout from Carlos Cortes made it 2-0 Gamecocks.
Florida got a run back in the second. After loading the bases with no outs, Christian Hicks grounded into a double play and Ryan Larson scored from third.
The Gators tied the game 2-2 with a run in the third after loading the bases again. Larson hit a chopper over the pitcher's head that scored Deacon Liput.
South Carolina retook the lead with a run in the fifth inning. Hopkins led off with a single to right field. It appeared that the Gators would escape with no damage on a line drive double play to first but the umpire called a balk and it was ruled no pitch.
After Hopkins advanced to second, Cortes took advantage of his additional chance and doubled into right field to give the Gamecocks a 3-2 lead.
Florida settled down and Kowar got out of the inning without further damage then worked a scoreless top of the sixth inning.
Florida hits the road again next weekend for a three-game series in Athens against the Georgia Bulldogs. Friday's opener is at 7 p.m. and will stream online via SEC Network+, accessible through the WatchESPN app.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan
"A lot of positives today … First, from a pitching standpoint, to get Jackson into the seventh inning, I thought he threw the ball well. I know he probably wants the one pitch back to Cullen. We misplayed a couple balls in the outfield, some infield hits. I was really pleased with how he threw the ball and got us into the seventh inning. Horvath came in and did his job, then Garrett Milchin throws two pitches, faces two batters, and gets two ground balls to get out of the inning. Michael keeps his poise and gets a double play ball to arguably their best hitter at the plate. And I think we only walked two the entire day and played errorless ball. From a pitching standpoint, it's good to see those guys come out of the pen and do good. I'm really excited for Jackson to get to almost 100 pitches into the seventh.
"Offensively, we were probably helped with eight walks or so from their staff. Nelly hit the home run to tie it up at three, and then JJ, he's been working awfully hard. It was good to see a smile on his face again. He's been working awfully hard in the cages on his own and with the coaches. For him to come through in a situation like that, not only does it make him feel good, but it makes his teammates and everybody around him, his coaches, feel good."
