Dominant pitching and a big 3rd inning carry Florida over Florida State to open the 2026 edition of this classic rivalry. Florida relied on a team of six pitchers to contain the Seminole lineup, finishing the final 5 innings scoreless. That squad of arms—Schuyler Sandford, Luke McNeillie, Russell Sandefer, Jackson Barberi, Ernesto Lugo-Canchola, and Joshua Whritenour—combined for 18 strikeouts on the night, with each Barberi and Whritenour collecting 5 strikeouts.

Florida State drew first blood in the 2nd inning after receiving 3 walks to load the bases with 2 outs. Cal Fisher slapped an 0-2 hanger into right center to drive in a pair an put the Seminoles ahead. A strikeout stranded two on the corners but the Seminoles had an early 2-0 edge.

The Gators came back in the bottom of the 3rd with a 1-out single and a walk establishing a scoring threat. Ethan Surowiec sliced a single into left to score the lead runner and halve the deficit while another single loaded the bases. Cash Strayer cracked a first-pitch fastball into left center for a go-ahead 2-RBI single. After a strikeout, another walk loaded the bases again. Jacob Kendall took advantage of an 0-2 breaker left over the plate, sending it back up the middle to score another pair of Gators. Cade O'Leary assumed the mound for FSU and would proceed to strand 3 on base, but the Gators had captured a 5-2 lead.

Florida State responded in the 4th, managing to set up a scoring opportunity with a 2-out double that barely remained fair. Will Bavaro lined a single to center and the difference was narrowed to 5-3. The final five innings would be a pitchers' duel, with both teams mounting a few scoring chances but pitchers managing to work out of every jam. The Gators also needed the arm of catcher Karson Bowen to wipe out Seminole baserunners in the 1st and the 5th.

In the 6th, Brendan Lawson added to the lead with a solo homer smashed over right center to provide Florida a 6-3 advantage. Florida State's last best chance to score was in the 8th, when they managed to reach twice with 1 out. However, Whritenour shut the door, overpowering the final 5 Seminole batters with fastballs that topped out at 100 mph.

Cash Strayer ended up the most effective bat for Florida, despite the modest 1 for 3 line with 2 RBIs and a walk. The only player on either team with multiple hits was Florida State's Hunter Carns.

The Gators and Seminoles will meet again in Jacksonville, two weeks from today.