Viral gaffe helps Florida avoid an upset bid against FAMU

Florida has kept things rolling and currently holds the longest win streak in the country. After losing on Opening Day to UAB, the Gators have ripped off 13 straight wins.

But sometimes, to keep a long win streak going, a team is going to need some good fortune along the way, and on Wednesday, the Gators got some huge help to stave off an upset bid from FAMU.

Florida uses FAMU’s mistake to complete comeback victory

Midweek games have a way of turning into an adventure, and Wednesday night against FAMU was no different. Billy Barlow was charged with three runs in the 5th inning to put Florida behind 5-4. Barlow had an error himself on a bunt attempt that helped spark the inning.

It stayed 5-4 into the bottom of the 7th, and Florida staged a bit of a rally to load the bases with two outs and score the tying run with two outs in the 7th when Cole Stanford was hit by a pitch.

But the moment of the night came when Colton Schwarz came up to bat right after. Schwarz hit a comebacker to the FAMU pitcher that should have ended the inning. FAMU threw the ball a bit wide, but their 1st baseman had plenty of time to recover to step on first and get out of the jam.

Just one problem, FAMU stepped on the green safety bag rather than 1st base itself. This made Schwarz safe and allowed two runs to score to make it 7-5.

Ernesto Lugocanchola and Joshua Whritenour teamed up for four strikeouts between the 8th and 9th innings to shut the door on FAMU.

Not the first time Florida has done the Safety Dance

The safety bag was introduced last year in college baseball as a way to reduce collisions at 1st base, but it has created some awkward moments like this from last night. Florida was involved in a controversial moment against Stetson last year involving the safety bag that helped propel the Gators to avoid an upset bid.

Kevin O’Sullivan noted after the game that Florida got a bit fortunate:

“I do want to credit Florida A&M, they played really good. They played sound defense. They had different looks on the mound, they made some really tough plays defensively. It seemed like Jamey made every right move when he went to the pen. We were just fortunate enough to where it was that freak play at first base with the first baseman. I thought it was a good game, I really do.”

The Gators will now look ahead to a weekend series against High Point before taking on FSU next week, followed by SEC play opening against South Carolina.