Kiger's Single In Ninth Lifts No. 10 Gators Past State 5-4
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mark Kiger's two-out single in the ninth inning drove in the winning run Friday night lifting No. 10 Florida (33-13, 14-8) to a 5-4 win over Mississippi State (27-17, 11-10) in the opening game of a three-game SEC series at Dudy Noble Field.
The game-winning hit capped a comeback for the Gators, who fell behind 4-0 after three innings. MSU scored a run in the first on Jason Burkley's two-out single to left, and added three more on three hits in the third inning. Enrico Jones plated two with a single and Casey Long singled in another, chasing UF starter Jimmy Ramshaw from the game after 2-2/3 innings.
The Bulldogs left six base runners in the first three frames but have few scoring opportunities against Gator relief pitcher David Bartelt (5-1). The UF freshman checked MSU on two hits and struck out four in 5-2/3 innings of shutout relief work to earn the win. Kevin Coleman came on to get the final two outs of the game with a runner at second base to pick up his fifth save.
Florida struck for three runs in the fourth to begin its comeback. Aaron Sobieraj doubled in one run and David Klebonis delivered the first of his two RBI singles on the night as eight Gators came to the plate to face MSU starter Paul Maholm (8-2). A pair of walks and a two-out hit by Klebonis tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth, and the score stayed deadlocked until the ninth.
Ben Harrison scored the game-winning run, reaching on a single, stealing second, taking third on a passed ball, and coming home on Kiger's single to left.
Maholm registered his fourth complete-game pitching performance of the campaign, but absorbed his first SEC loss after giving up five runs on 10 hits. Maholm struck out eight and walked three.
Chad Henry and Casey Long had two hits each to lead MSU at the plate, while Pat Osborn collected three singles to lead Florida.
The Bulldogs and the Gators continue their weekend series Saturday at 3 p.m. Bulldog senior right-hander Tanner Brock (6-3, 4.15) will be matched with Gator junior righty Alex Hart (10-1, 3.11).
FLORIDA 5, MISSISSIPPI STATE 4UF 000 310 001 -- 5-10-4MSU 103 100 000 -- 4- 9-1WP -- David Bartelt (5-1). LP -- Paul Maholm (8-2).SV -- Kevin Coleman (5). T -- 2:49.ATT -- 6,562 (paid), 3887 (actual).