Corbin Postgame | Harrell | 
Box Score
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Florida used a three-run home run from Taylor Gushue in the sixth inning en route to a 7-1 series-opening win over No. 2 Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field on Friday night.
The Commodores (19-4, 3-1) and Gators (11-12, 2-2) were knotted 1-1 in the top of the sixth when Gushue blasted his second home run of the season, a three-run shot into the left-center field bleachers. The three-run sixth was part of a four-inning stretch that saw the Gators score at least one run ending with two unearned runs in the eighth.
Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek (5-1) cruised through the first four innings without allowing a hit but ran into trouble in the fifth inning. The lefty walked the first two batters he faced before Zack Powers sliced a single down the left field line to score a run and tie the game 1-1. Ziomek again found trouble in the sixth when the first two batters reached base before Gushue’s blast put Florida in front for good. Ziomek gave up a season-high four runs on five hits and a career-high five walks in six innings to take his first loss of the season.
While Florida was scoring the Dores’ offense was struggling, getting just one hit over the final five frames and ending the night with a season-low three hits. After scoring the game’s first run in the fourth on a RBI-single through the right side of the infield by Vince Conde, Vandy had just three base runners the rest of the night. Conde, Connor Harrell and Jack Lupo were the only Dores to record hits in the loss.
Florida starter Jay Carmichael (3-1) earned the win with five innings of work. The freshman gave up one run on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts. The Gators’ bullpen turned in four no-hit innings to finish the game. Adam Ravenell made his season debut for the Dores tossing two innings and allowing one unearned run on two hits.
The Commodores and Gators play tomorrow night at 6 p.m. on CSS. Sophomore Tyler Beede (5-0) gets the ball for VU against right-hander Jonathon Crawford (0-3).
