Hail Florida Hail
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Peterson and Heyman shine as the wheels on the bus keep rolling for the Gators

Florida beat Arkansas 6-4
ByBenjamin Henderson|
Jun 15, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators starting pitcher Liam Peterson (12) throws against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Jun 15, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators starting pitcher Liam Peterson (12) throws against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Coming into this weekend, it felt like a last stand of sorts for Florida Baseball. The Gators entered their series against Arkansas 6-12 in SEC play, and so while Florida was in the top 25 in RPI, the belief was that Florida needed to go 6-6 in SEC play to close out the regular season, get 12 SEC wins, and actually get the benefit of the doubt from the committee.

While Florida had won eight of their last nine games, the pitfall of the Gators was that they looked lost against the top 25 competition.

For at least one game, the Gators were clicking on all cylinders and got a massive start from Liam Peterson and a clutch home run from Luke Heyman to power past Arkansas 6-4 and build the belief that the bus might actually be turned around for the Gators.

Florida Baseball stay hot

It didn't necessarily start great for Peterson as he gave up solo home runs in the 1st and 2nd innings. But after settling down, he kept the Razorback bats quiet the rest of the night and powered his way to 13 strikeouts over six innings of work. He came out to start the 7th and walked a batter before making way for Jake Clemente.

Peterson was able to be in line for the win because of two key moments that gave Florida a 6-2 lead.

The first was in the 3rd inning when Justin Nadeau singled up the middle with two outs. Arkansas tried to throw over a pick him off, but it was evident that the Razorbacks haven't watched the Tom Emanski defensive drills video and sailed the pickoff attempt into right field.

Nadeau flew around the bases from 1st all the way to home for the first run of the game for the Gators.

Florida tacked on a Blake Cyr RBI and a Brendan Lawson RBI before Heyman delievered the big moment of the game.

With two on, Heyman took a 3-2 pitch that would have been ball four and still sent it over the left field fence to give Florida a 6-2 lead.

Arkansas did get two back to make it 6-4, but Clemente shut the door the rest of the way to give Florida the win.

The Gators are now 7-12 in SEC play and 29-15 overall. They are currently 20th in RPI.

Florida and Arkansas will square off in game two on Saturday at 3 PM.

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