The No. 17 Miami Hurricanes were unable to hold an early lead Saturday night, falling 8-4 to No. 10 Florida at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field as the Gators secured the series victory.
Miami (10-2) struck first in front of a lively home crowd when Derek Williams delivered a three-run home run to deep left field in the opening inning. The blast, Williams’ fifth of the season, quickly gave the Hurricanes a 3-0 advantage and energized the Mark Light Field crowd.
Florida (11-1) responded in the second inning, putting together a four-run rally on five hits to swing the momentum. A two-run double by Kyle Jones highlighted the inning as the Gators moved in front 4-3.
The Hurricanes answered in the fifth to even the contest. Michael Torres reached base and eventually scored when Daniel Cuvet lifted a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 4-4 and setting the stage for a tense final stretch.
The pivotal moment of the game came in the seventh inning during a chaotic sequence that ultimately shifted the momentum to Florida.
Miami starter Rob Evans exited after hitting Cash Strayer and walking Caden McDonald, prompting head coach J.D. Arteaga to turn to reliever Ryan Bilka. After entering the game, Bilka issued a walk to Sam Miller that loaded the bases, but the right-hander quickly battled back by striking out both Jacob Kendall and Kyle Jones.
It appeared Miami had escaped the jam when Brendan Lawson lifted a fly ball to center field that looked to end the inning.
Instead, the situation took an unexpected turn.
Third-base umpire Travis Carlson ruled that Bilka committed a balk during the play, nullifying the apparent inning-ending out and forcing the runners to advance. The call allowed Strayer to score from third, giving Florida a 5-4 lead and dramatically changing the atmosphere at Mark Light Field.
Bilka eventually closed out the inning after striking out Ethan Surowiec, but the Hurricanes were unable to regain control of the game.
Florida created separation in the ninth inning when Surowiec launched a three-run home run to left field, pushing the Gators’ lead to 8-4 and putting the game out of reach.
Evans (2-1) was charged with the loss despite a strong outing. The Miami right-hander worked six innings, allowed five runs on five hits and recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts while issuing just one walk.
Florida reliever Ricky Reeth (2-0) earned the win after delivering four innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on three hits while striking out five.
Miami finished with six hits on the night, with Williams and Torres collecting two apiece.
“We had a chance until the very end,” head coach J.D. Arteaga said following the game.
The Hurricanes will attempt to salvage the series in the finale Sunday afternoon at Mark Light Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.
