Florida (7-6) used an 11-hit barrage, including a season-high five doubles, to post a 7-1 victory over George Washington (1-7) in the first game of a doubleheader at McKethan Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Four Gators had multiple-hit efforts, led by sophomore Cody Neer (Orlando, Fla.) (2-for-4, two runs, two RBI) and senior Chris Petrie (Jacksonville, Fla.) (2-for-4, three RBI, two doubles). Junior Bryan Augenstein (Sebastian, Fla.) (2-2) matched a personal best with 11 strikeouts and fired the fourth complete game of his career by scattering seven hits and allowing an unearned run.  

The Colonials loaded the bases against Augenstein and plated their only run in the first inning. Senior Mickey Shupin reached on a fielding error and freshman Tom Zebroski and senior Michael Parker followed with consecutive singles to fill the sacks. Augenstein had junior Charlie Kruer ground into a 4-6-3 double play, scoring Shupin, and struck out junior Andrew Abokhair.  

Florida seized a 3-1 lead in the third with four hits off junior Brian Frazier. Freshman Cole Figueroa (Tallahassee, Fla.) tied the game with his team-leading fifth homer of the year by sending the right-hander’s first offering of the frame over the wall in right. The Gators later used three-consecutive two-out hits to move in front. Junior Bryson Barber (Pensacola, Fla.) rifled a single through the right side and scored on a double to left center by Neer. Petrie followed with another two-bagger to bring across Neer but was thrown out trying to take third.

The Gators tacked on three more runs in the fifth on a two-out single by Neer and a two-run double by Petrie to build a 6-1 advantage. Senior Matt LaPorta (Port Charlotte, Fla.) doubled to left center with one down but was thrown out on freshman Clayton Pisani’s (Naples, Fla.) fielder’s choice. After a free pass to Barber, Neer poked Frazier’s next pitch up the middle for his team-high 13th RBI. Petrie then stepped in and launched his second double of the contest to move the hosts ahead by five runs.

UF added another run on Figueroa’s sacrifice fly in the sixth that scored sophomore Avery Barnes (High Springs, Fla.). Barnes had opened with a base-hit to right and moved to third on junior Jon Townsend’s (London, Ky.) double off the left-field fence.

Barber greeted freshman reliever Arllen Cruz with a single to begin UF’s seventh turn at the plate and stole second base to move into scoring position. Frazier (0-3) surrendered 10 hits and seven runs, with two walks and two strikeouts. Cruz stranded the runner by fanning three of the next four batters he faced.

Florida held an 11-7 advantage in hits, also helped by Barber (2-for-3, two runs) and Barnes (2-for-4, one run). Sophomore Chris Marsicano went 2-for-4 with a couple of doubles to pace GW. The teams will complete the twinbill starting at 5:10 p.m. Sophomore left-hander Stephen Locke (Tampa, Fla.) (1-1, 4.11 ERA) will oppose senior RHP Derek Haese (0-2, 9.00).

Game Notes

• Matt LaPorta has been walked intentionally three times this year and has drawn seven free passes.  
• Avery Barnes extended his hitting streak to a career-high four games with a second-inning single.
• Four of Cole Figueroa’s five homers have been solo.
• Bryan Augenstein notched the Gators’ first complete game since April 8, 2006, when he went the distance in a 6-4 win at Kentucky.

-UF-