UM Falls Short In Series Opener Vs. UF, Lose 4-3
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It was a real nail biter on Friday night, as No. 8 Miami lost its series opener to No. 6 Florida in the bottom of the ninth.
The instate rivals were supposed to open the series with a high powered pitching duel, but both starters were scratched.
Miami's ace lefthander Andrew Suarez was held back after suffering a potential oblique strain during his pregame bullpen.
Florida's talented righthander Logan Shore was removed after just 10 pitches with an undisclosed injury.
In their stead, Ryan Otero started for the Hurricanes while lefthander Bobby Poyner entered for the Gators.
The game was scoreless through three, until UF struck first in the fourth – with Richie Martin being balked in from third.
The Canes wouldn't respond until the sixth inning, where they knocked in three runs. But the Gators snapped back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, tying the game at 3-3.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Gators' centerfielder Buddy Reed flared a single into shallow left that scored Josh Tobias from second base, as Florida captured the opener in front of 3,661 fans at McKethan Stadium.
Game two is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.