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Florida Gators clinch series vs. Kentucky with 9-6 rubber match win

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi05/10/26ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Behind a strong day offensively and a stellar two-way performance from Caden McDonald, the No. 13 Florida Gators clinched the series against Kentucky with a 9-6 victory on Sunday. UF won its first SEC rubber match in Gainesville this season (previously 0-3) and the first SEC home series since mid-March (South Carolina).

McDonald pitched a no-hitter in relief and earned his fifth win of the season (5-1) with six Ks in 4.1 innings, throwing three straight 1-2-3 frames and retiring 13 of 14 batters, with the lone Wildcat reaching on an error. McDonald also put Florida back in front for good in the fourth inning with his two-run shot, one of three homers for the Gators.

Every player in the lineup had at least one hit as UF totaled 14 against just six hits for Kentucky. Trailing 1-0 early, the Gators had a three-spot in the first inning to take the lead with Brendan Lawson’s homer, Karson Bowen’s RBI double and Landon Stripling’s RBI single. After a scoreless second and third, both teams plated four runs in the fourth.

The Wildcats took the lead with a three-run homer by Will Marcy, which got Florida starting pitcher Russell Sandefer pulled after giving up five hits, five runs and two walks in 3.2 innings with two strikeouts. The Gators answered in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run shot by Hayden Yost to tie the game and McDonald’s dinger to regain the lead.

UF added two more insurances runs in the seventh and Kentucky’s Hudson Brown hit an inconsequential solo homer in the ninth against reliever Joshua Whritenour, who had one strikeout in his lone inning.

Florida has won 11 of its last 15 SEC series dating back to last year. The Gators wrap up their regular season with a three-game series at LSU next week. The opener is on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.

Here are live updates from Florida (34-18, 15-12 SEC) vs. Kentucky (30-18, 12-15 SEC):

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 8th: Florida 9, Kentucky 5

05/10/2026 11:48:44 AM

McDonald is dealing on the mound with his third consecutive 1-2-3 frame and six strikeouts. He has retired 12 batters in a row and 13 of the 14 he’s faced. UK reliver Burkley Bounds hit McDonald with a pitch but tossed a scoreless inning.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 7th: Florida 9, Kentucky 5

05/10/2026 11:36:58 AM

The Gators tack on two more runs on two hits after a leadoff single by Cade Kurland and a double by Cash Strayer. They both scored on sac flies. McDonald pitched his second straight 1-2-3 frame and has retired eight batters in a row.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 6th: Florida 7, Kentucky 5

05/10/2026 11:20:32 AM

McDonald tossed his second scoreless inning and first 1-2-3 frame. He struck out two more Wildcats and is now up to five Ks. Surowiec hit a leadoff single but was left on base. The Gators have stranded eight runners so far versus just two for Kentucky.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 5th: Florida 7, Kentucky 5

05/10/2026 11:13:16 AM

McDonald struck out two more Wildcats in the fifth and pitched a scoreless frame. The Gators had two more hits but left the bases loaded for the second time in five innings.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 4th: Florida 7, Kentucky 5

05/10/2026 10:47:56 AM

The Gators and Wildcats both scored four runs in the fourth. Braxton Van Cleave’s RBI single scored Luke Lawrence after his leadoff double and then Will Marcy hit a three-run homer against Russell Sandefer, which got him pulled. He was replaced by Caden McDonald, who fanned Scott Campbell Jr. for the last out. Following a leadoff single by Cash Strayer, 9-hole hitter Hayden Yost hit a two-run homer to tie the game. McDonald then smacked a two-run shot to put Florida back in front.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 3rd: Florida 3, Kentucky 1

05/10/2026 10:18:30 AM

Each team came up empty in the third and sent four batters to the plate. Sandefer struck out his second Wildcat and gave up a two-out single, but then Hayden Yost tracked down the last out from center field. UK reliever Connor Mattison has thrown back-to-back scoreless frames.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 2nd: Florida 3, Kentucky 1

05/10/2026 09:57:55 AM

Florida pitcher Russell Sandefer tossed a 1-2-3 frame, fanning Caeden Cloud for the last out and his first K. The Gators loaded the bases on just one hit — a single by Blake Cyr to left center — but UK made the double play to escape the inning.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 1st: Florida 3, Kentucky 1

05/10/2026 09:41:50 AM

After the Wildcats scored first, UF responded with a three-spot on five straight hits in the bottom of the inning. It started with Brendan Lawson, who homered for the second straight game. After back-to-back singles by Ethan Surowiec and Caden McDonald, they were plated with an RBI double by Karson Bowen — which got UK starting pitcher Nate Harris pulled — and an RBI single by Landon Stripling.

Florida Gators Starting Lineup

1. Blake Cyr LF
2. Brendan Lawson SS
3. Ethan Surowiec 3B
4. Caden McDonald DH
5. Karson Bowen C
6. Landon Stripling 1B
7. Cade Kurland 2B
8. Cash Strayer RF
9. Hayden Yost CF

SP: Russell Sandefer

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