Sunday, May 10
Gainesville, Fla.
10 AM
Florida Gators
34-18, 15-12
9
vs
6
Kentucky
30-18, 12-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| Florida | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 9 | 14 | 1 |
McDonald’s Two-Way Effort Lifts No. 13/21 Florida to Series Win Over Kentucky
Sunday, May 10, 2026 | Baseball
Two-way star Caden McDonald pitched 4 1/3 no-hit innings to earn the victory while going 2-for-3 at the plate with the go-ahead, two-run home run in the fourth.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Redshirt sophomore Caden McDonald delivered another epic two-way performance to lift No. 13/21 Florida to a come-from-behind, 9-6 win over Kentucky as well as a series victory in game three at Condron Family Ballpark on Sunday.
Although all nine UF starters had hits in the regular-season home finale, McDonald (2-for-3) powered the Gators (34-18, 15-12 SEC) to the series win by shutting out the Wildcats (30-18, 12-15 SEC) across 4 1/3 scoreless, no-hit innings of relief while bashing a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fourth. McDonald retired 13 of the 14 batters he faced highlighted by 12-straight to finish his outing en route to earning the victory, with the lone Wildcat reaching on an error. Brendan Lawson (1-for-3) continued his offensive resurgence by scoring twice and homering for the second-consecutive game while Hayden Yost (2-for-3) left the yard to tie the tally in the fourth and drove in a team-high three runs.
Florida fell behind by one run in the first and trailed by a pair midway through the fourth, but erased both deficits to come out on top on Senior Day. The Gators won both of their games in the series in comeback fashion, raising their season total to 14 come-from-behind victories.
Kentucky opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, as leadoff man Jayce Tharnish led off with a single up the middle, stole second and moved to third on a flyout before scoring on a sacrifice fly down the left-field line by Luke Lawrence for a 1-0 UK lead.
UK starter Nate Harris retired the UF leadoff hitter in the home half of the first, but then was greeted by four-consecutive Gator hits resulting in his exit from the game. Lawson started the rally with a solo homer on a 2-2 offering down the right field line, followed by back-to-back singles from Ethan Surowiec and McDonald. Karson Bowen then doubled home the go-ahead run while Landon Stripling produced an RBI single to center field to push the UF advantage to 3-1.
Rebounding for a clean frame in the second, Sandefer retired the side on 13 pitches while registering his first strikeout for the third out. He worked another zero and notched his second strikeout in the third before the Wildcats got to him for four runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Lawrence led off with a double to right-center and came home on an RBI single from Braxton Van Cleave. Later in the inning with two outs, Will Marcy uncorked a three-run homer to left-center field to move the Wildcats back in front. McDonald entered on the slab thereafter and fanned Scott Campbell Jr. to end the frame.
Kentucky's second lead did not last long, as Florida needed just two swings in bottom-four to draw even. Cash Strayer led off with a single to left field while Yost powered a game-tying, two-run shot onto the right-field berm for his sixth home run of the year. The Gators did not stop there, as McDonald – fresh off assuming pitching duties – capitalized on a walk to Lawson by sending a two-out, two-run homer out of the ballpark to right field to put UF back in the lead at 7-5.
Having provided Florida the edge, McDonald went back to work on the mound by blanking the Wildcats with two strikeouts in the top half of the fifth. Florida threatened with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning but left them stranded as McDonald returned to the hill in the sixth. The two-way proceeded to fan the first two UK batters for four-consecutive strikeouts en route to a one-two-three frame.
McDonald continued to roll on the hill in the seventh, setting down the UK side in order on just seven pitches to take the game to stretch time. The Gators then struck again in the home half of the seventh, beginning with a leadoff single from Cade Kurland and a double from Strayer to put two in scoring position. From there, Yost and Blake Cyr skied sacrifice flies to left and center field, respectively, to push the Florida lead to 9-5.
McDonald secured three-straight outs again in the eighth to reach 12-straight batters retired. He passed the baton to right-hander Joshua Whritenour in the ninth with UF leading by four runs. Kentucky drew within three on a leadoff home run to right-center by Hudson Brown, but Whritenour bounced back to cement the series-deciding win with a 9-6 final score.
Not only did McDonald (5-1) crank a two-run homer, but he also earned the victory behind 4 1/3 shutout, no-hit innings of relief. He struck out six and did not forfeit a free pass or hit batter.
Kentucky reliever Toby Peterson (0-1) was saddled with the series-deciding loss, as he did not log an out and was charged with one earned run on one walk.
Sandefer received a no-decision in his start. The junior right-hander threw 3 2/3 innings of five-run ball on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Harris did not factor into the decision either. He lasted one-third of an inning and surrendered three earned runs on four hits.
NOTABLES
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O'SULLIVAN
On today's pitching and McDonald's performance…
"Early on, we gave up the run in the first and then obviously, we scored some runs there to answer back in the first… The idea was to go to Caden like we did last week against Oklahoma. And man, I can't say enough about his performance. I mean, guy goes four and a third, doesn't give up a hit and settles things down. Hits a home run, a key home run, him and Yosty hit key home runs there. I think everybody in the lineup got a hit today. A little bit frustrating early on, to be quite honest with you. I think we left nine on total, but it felt like a lot more than that because a lot of those were left on in the first couple innings. But then we had two double plays there, you know, early part of the game. But great effort, almost feels like a regional-type weekend. It was an important series for us obviously... just a really good finish to the weekend, for sure."
On what has led to McDonald's explosion onto the scene…
"There's a little story behind it. You know, going back some time, he wanted to concentrate on pitching. He had Tommy John and it was last year, he wanted to concentrate on his pitching. And then this year, he was good in the fall, but there were some other guys that maybe swung the bat a little bit better. I mean, in the early spring, really, what I said was we were just not having much production in the bottom half of the order, you know, and maybe some people may question, 'why didn't you hit him earlier?' But in all fairness, some other guys had played well… I think it's easy to second guess since he's having so much success. But better late than never. And things like this happen all the time. People get injured, you know, from other teams, and all of a sudden, you got the next man up, and all of a sudden you got a great story. You know what I mean? So, he seems to be that guy for us right now."
On Bowen's performance offensively and defensively all weekend…
"The other person that I want to point out is Karson Bowen. I mean, my goodness. Both catchers, for both teams. To catch that many games in such a short amount of time is impressive. It was hot out there. It was humid, too. You have got to give him some props. He also had some key hits this weekend. He worked awfully hard this fall because he was injured and was not able to participate. But he just gives a calming effect behind the plate. It was just a great effort. Sometimes it can get unnoticed, unfortunately. But I wanted to point that out."
ON DECK
Having wrapped its home slate against Kentucky, Florida travels to LSU for a three-game series from May 14-16 to close out the regular season.
Although all nine UF starters had hits in the regular-season home finale, McDonald (2-for-3) powered the Gators (34-18, 15-12 SEC) to the series win by shutting out the Wildcats (30-18, 12-15 SEC) across 4 1/3 scoreless, no-hit innings of relief while bashing a go-ahead, two-run homer in the fourth. McDonald retired 13 of the 14 batters he faced highlighted by 12-straight to finish his outing en route to earning the victory, with the lone Wildcat reaching on an error. Brendan Lawson (1-for-3) continued his offensive resurgence by scoring twice and homering for the second-consecutive game while Hayden Yost (2-for-3) left the yard to tie the tally in the fourth and drove in a team-high three runs.
Florida fell behind by one run in the first and trailed by a pair midway through the fourth, but erased both deficits to come out on top on Senior Day. The Gators won both of their games in the series in comeback fashion, raising their season total to 14 come-from-behind victories.
Kentucky opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, as leadoff man Jayce Tharnish led off with a single up the middle, stole second and moved to third on a flyout before scoring on a sacrifice fly down the left-field line by Luke Lawrence for a 1-0 UK lead.
UK starter Nate Harris retired the UF leadoff hitter in the home half of the first, but then was greeted by four-consecutive Gator hits resulting in his exit from the game. Lawson started the rally with a solo homer on a 2-2 offering down the right field line, followed by back-to-back singles from Ethan Surowiec and McDonald. Karson Bowen then doubled home the go-ahead run while Landon Stripling produced an RBI single to center field to push the UF advantage to 3-1.
Rebounding for a clean frame in the second, Sandefer retired the side on 13 pitches while registering his first strikeout for the third out. He worked another zero and notched his second strikeout in the third before the Wildcats got to him for four runs in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead. Lawrence led off with a double to right-center and came home on an RBI single from Braxton Van Cleave. Later in the inning with two outs, Will Marcy uncorked a three-run homer to left-center field to move the Wildcats back in front. McDonald entered on the slab thereafter and fanned Scott Campbell Jr. to end the frame.
Kentucky's second lead did not last long, as Florida needed just two swings in bottom-four to draw even. Cash Strayer led off with a single to left field while Yost powered a game-tying, two-run shot onto the right-field berm for his sixth home run of the year. The Gators did not stop there, as McDonald – fresh off assuming pitching duties – capitalized on a walk to Lawson by sending a two-out, two-run homer out of the ballpark to right field to put UF back in the lead at 7-5.
Having provided Florida the edge, McDonald went back to work on the mound by blanking the Wildcats with two strikeouts in the top half of the fifth. Florida threatened with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning but left them stranded as McDonald returned to the hill in the sixth. The two-way proceeded to fan the first two UK batters for four-consecutive strikeouts en route to a one-two-three frame.
McDonald continued to roll on the hill in the seventh, setting down the UK side in order on just seven pitches to take the game to stretch time. The Gators then struck again in the home half of the seventh, beginning with a leadoff single from Cade Kurland and a double from Strayer to put two in scoring position. From there, Yost and Blake Cyr skied sacrifice flies to left and center field, respectively, to push the Florida lead to 9-5.
McDonald secured three-straight outs again in the eighth to reach 12-straight batters retired. He passed the baton to right-hander Joshua Whritenour in the ninth with UF leading by four runs. Kentucky drew within three on a leadoff home run to right-center by Hudson Brown, but Whritenour bounced back to cement the series-deciding win with a 9-6 final score.
Not only did McDonald (5-1) crank a two-run homer, but he also earned the victory behind 4 1/3 shutout, no-hit innings of relief. He struck out six and did not forfeit a free pass or hit batter.
Kentucky reliever Toby Peterson (0-1) was saddled with the series-deciding loss, as he did not log an out and was charged with one earned run on one walk.
Sandefer received a no-decision in his start. The junior right-hander threw 3 2/3 innings of five-run ball on five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Harris did not factor into the decision either. He lasted one-third of an inning and surrendered three earned runs on four hits.
NOTABLES
- All nine UF starters collected a hit by the end of the fifth inning.
- Florida posted its 14th come-from-behind win of the season including its second of the series.
- The Gators have won 11 of their last 15 SEC series dating back to last season, going 29-16 across 45 SEC contests in that span.
- Florida is a now 20-12 against unranked teams this season on top of being a nation-best 14-6 against ranked opponents and repping the most Quad 1 wins in the country (15).
- Lawson homered for the second-consecutive game, giving him a team-leading 13 home runs.
- Yost swatted his sixth home run of the campaign to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth.
- McDonald launched his fifth homer of the season to give Florida the lead in the fourth.
- All five of McDonald's home runs have come in the last nine SEC games.
- McDonald has hit three home runs the last two times he has pitched.
- On top of going 2-for-3 with one homer, two RBI and two runs scored, McDonald pitched 4 1/3 shutout, no-hit frames with six strikeouts to zero walks to improve to 5-1 on the mound with a 2.87 ERA.
- Florida has won 51 of its last 74 regular-season games dating back to last season.
- The Gators are now 152-75-1 all-time and 82-33 in Gainesville against Kentucky.
- Florida is 31-24 overall and 15-12 at home vs. the Wildcats under Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan.
- The Gators have won 17 of the last 24 matchups against Kentucky.
- Sunday's official attendance was 5,113.
FROM HEAD COACH KEVIN O'SULLIVAN
On today's pitching and McDonald's performance…
"Early on, we gave up the run in the first and then obviously, we scored some runs there to answer back in the first… The idea was to go to Caden like we did last week against Oklahoma. And man, I can't say enough about his performance. I mean, guy goes four and a third, doesn't give up a hit and settles things down. Hits a home run, a key home run, him and Yosty hit key home runs there. I think everybody in the lineup got a hit today. A little bit frustrating early on, to be quite honest with you. I think we left nine on total, but it felt like a lot more than that because a lot of those were left on in the first couple innings. But then we had two double plays there, you know, early part of the game. But great effort, almost feels like a regional-type weekend. It was an important series for us obviously... just a really good finish to the weekend, for sure."
On what has led to McDonald's explosion onto the scene…
"There's a little story behind it. You know, going back some time, he wanted to concentrate on pitching. He had Tommy John and it was last year, he wanted to concentrate on his pitching. And then this year, he was good in the fall, but there were some other guys that maybe swung the bat a little bit better. I mean, in the early spring, really, what I said was we were just not having much production in the bottom half of the order, you know, and maybe some people may question, 'why didn't you hit him earlier?' But in all fairness, some other guys had played well… I think it's easy to second guess since he's having so much success. But better late than never. And things like this happen all the time. People get injured, you know, from other teams, and all of a sudden, you got the next man up, and all of a sudden you got a great story. You know what I mean? So, he seems to be that guy for us right now."
On Bowen's performance offensively and defensively all weekend…
"The other person that I want to point out is Karson Bowen. I mean, my goodness. Both catchers, for both teams. To catch that many games in such a short amount of time is impressive. It was hot out there. It was humid, too. You have got to give him some props. He also had some key hits this weekend. He worked awfully hard this fall because he was injured and was not able to participate. But he just gives a calming effect behind the plate. It was just a great effort. Sometimes it can get unnoticed, unfortunately. But I wanted to point that out."
ON DECK
Having wrapped its home slate against Kentucky, Florida travels to LSU for a three-game series from May 14-16 to close out the regular season.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: McDonald, Caden (5-1)
L: Toby Peterson (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Luke Lawrence 1
HR: Hudson Brown 1 ; Will Marcy 1
RBI: Luke Lawrence 1 ; Braxton Van Cleave 1 ; Hudson Brown 1 ; Will Marcy 3
SF: Luke Lawrence 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jayce Tharnish 1 ; Luke Lawrence 1 ; Braxton Van Cleave 1 ; Hudson Brown 1 ; Caeden Cloud 1 ; Will Marcy 1
SB: Jayce Tharnish 2 ; Caeden Cloud 1
Batting:
2B: Bowen, Karson 1 ; Strayer, Cash 1
HR: Lawson, Brendan 1 ; McDonald, Caden 1 ; Yost, Hayden 1
RBI: Cyr, Blake 1 ; Lawson, Brendan 1 ; McDonald, Caden 2 ; Bowen, Karson 1 ; Stripling, Landon 1 ; Yost, Hayden 3
SF: Cyr, Blake 1 ; Yost, Hayden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lawson, Brendan 2 ; Surowiec, Ethan 1 ; McDonald, Caden 2 ; Kurland, Cade 1 ; Strayer, Cash 2 ; Yost, Hayden 1
HBP: Cyr, Blake 1 ; Lawson, Brendan 1 ; McDonald, Caden 1
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
dh/p
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C
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OF/INF
/ BaseballINF
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INF
/ BaseballRHP/1B
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
INF
/ BaseballINF
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RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ BaseballFlorida-Kentucky Finale Highlights
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