No. 6 Auburn defeated No. 7 Florida, 8-5, to win the baseball series on Apr. 18 at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville. The Tigers overcame an early three-run deficit and secured their first series victory in Gainesville since 2013.
The result is significant for Auburn as it marks their third consecutive series win and the first time they have won a series at Florida after losing the opening game since 1997.
Head coach Butch Thompson said, “I thought we were off beat just a little bit to start the game, and you have to give the other team, their starter, some credit. They jumped us, but I think the turning point for us was Petrovic. It was the fifth before we got the leadoff man on and scored those first two runs on one hit. It was Alex Petrovic having enough moxie on the road against a team like this, a quiet confidence to settle into the ballgame.” Starting pitcher Alex Petrovic allowed three runs in the first inning but then kept Florida scoreless over his next six innings.
Petrovic said of his performance after giving up early runs: “It was just about execution. Then talking with Coach Teaford and making sure we were doing the right things, going through the right processes and being able to execute.” He finished with seven innings pitched, allowing three runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Auburn tied the game in the eighth inning when Bub Terrell hit a solo home run—his ninth of the season—after entering that at-bat without a hit in seven previous tries during this series. Terrell said he told Coach Thompson before playing that he was mentally ready: “The lineup wasn’t posted yet, but I just told him I was ready, and I wanted to win as much as anyone did… They have my back and I have their back, and they believed in me so much today.” In total, Auburn scored five runs in its final frame thanks to key hits from Brandon McCraine (two-run double) and Mason McCraine (home run).
Florida’s Blake Cyr hit his third home run of both this game and series during an early rally for Florida (28-13). However, Auburn’s pitching staff limited further damage until late in relief appearances by Ryan Hetzler.
Looking ahead, Auburn (27-12) will conclude its four-game road trip against Samford before returning home for another conference matchup.
