Florida Blows Past Bulldogs 12-4 To Clinch Series
May 25, 2016 | Softball
Official Game Statistics
Updated SEC Standings
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Sixteenth-ranked Florida erupted for three multi-run innings, including a pair of four spots, and got an efficient outing from a pair of its pitchers to hand Mississippi State a 12-4 defeat in abbreviated innings in the back half of a series-opening doubleheader Saturday evening at the Florida Softball Field.
The loss was State's (30-24, 10-15 SEC) worst loss to the Gators (36-12, 15-5) since an equally as damaging 11-3 setback on April 28, 2000. Florida also clinched its first series victory against the Bulldogs since a Gainesville series victory during the 2001 season. Despite falling victim in the doubleheader sweep, State still maintained its stranglehold on sixth place in the overall SEC standings.
Courtney Bures recorded four RBI on a 2-for-3 night at the plate that included her freshman record-breaking 14th home run of the season, while the Bulldogs also got a 1-for-3 tally from Callye Williams that extended the Katy, Texas, native's career-long hitting streak out to eight games. Melissa Zick crossed the plate three times and drove in five runs on a 3-for-3 night for the Gators.
MSU starter Stephanie Comeaux (9-7) suffered through her worst outing of the season, allowing six earned runs on six hits in just three innings of work from the circle to take the loss for the Bulldogs. Reliever Sara Hickerson allowed six earned runs on five hits and a trio of walks but got the no decision. Stacey Stevens (21-6) allowed a pair of earned runs in two and one-thirds innings of relief to pick up the win for the Gators.
"We did a better job offensively in the second game, but we didn't get any pitching at all," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "We came back to tie it up and I thought that we were in pretty good shape, but Stephanie didn't have much and got hit hard and Sara was kind of in the same situation."
Florida used a pair of hits, including a Mandy Schuerman RBI double, in the bottom of the first to take a quick 2-0 lead, but MSU plated two of its own on a two-run, bases loaded double by Bures in the top of the third to tie the game back up. However, the Gators would send eight batters to the plate in scoring four runs in the bottom of the frame, then sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth to take a 10-2 lead into the fifth.
Lindsay Hunley was given a one-out free pass in the fifth to set the table for Bures' bomb that cut the UF lead to just six, 10-4, but Florida needed just four at-bats in its half of the inning to invoke the mercy rule that was capped on a two-run home run by Zick.
Mississippi State will look to salvage its series with the nationally ranked Gators when the two lock horns again on Sunday afternoon at the Florida Softball Field. First pitch of Sunday's series finale has been slated for 1 p.m. EDT. Sunday's series bookend will be broadcast live by WMSV 91.1 FM with Anthony Craven calling all the balls and strikes.
#16 FLORIDA 12, MISSISSIPPI STATE 4 (5 Innings)
Mississippi State (30-24) 002 02 - 4 6 0Florida (36-12) 204 42 - 12 11 1Comeaux, Hickerson (4) and Geddings. Schuerman, St. Stevens (3) and Butler. W * St. Stevens (21-6). L * Comeaux (9-7). Save * None. HR * Butler (UF), Bures (MSU), Zick (UF).
