Gators Clinch Series Over Air Force

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- Pitcher Jake Clemente and outfielder Hayden Yost set career-highs, Brody Donay hit his second home run of the year and the Florida Gators moved to 2-0 behind a 10-4 win over Air Force in Game One of Saturday's double-header.

A day after head coach Kevin O'Sullivan emphasized the need for the Gators to improve base running after a poor performance on Friday, Florida went nine-for-nine on stolen base attempts on Saturday, which included a three-steal performance from Yost.

Yost also set a career-high with four hits in five plate appearances while also recording an RBI.

Additionally, Clemente, alongside reliever Luke McNellie added to what's been a strong collective start from UF pitchers this season. Through two games, Florida pitchers have combined to strike out 30 batters, which includes Friday's 11-strikeout performance from Liam Peterson plus five more from Caden McDonald and Jackson Barberi.

Clemente recorded a career-high eight strikeouts in six innings pitched with three hits and two earned runs. McNellie struck out six batters in two innings of relief.

4️⃣K thru 2️⃣ for Clemente#GoGators // 📺 https://t.co/shPGh4Zxuk pic.twitter.com/XbS4KoAITM
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 15, 2025

After taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning behind a home run from Landon Stripling and an RBI single from Yost, Florida found itself down for the first time after a three-run third inning from Air Force, aided but multiple mistakes from the Gators.

Clemente hit Cam Anstey before T.J. Oster singled to put two on the bases. A throwing error on the next at-bat from Brody Donay allowed a score, and a sacrifice fly out and fielder's choice gave the Falcons a 3-2 lead.

The Gators, however, wouldn't be down long as it answered with its own three-run inning in the fourth and a four-run inning in the fifth.

Yost began with a double before stealing third base. After Ashton Wilson got hit by a pitch, the duo combined to a double-steal, which scored Yost. Shelton followed with a two-run home run to give Florida a 5-3 lead at the end of the fourth.

Donay added a two-run shot, his second of the year, an inning later. Shelton and Bobby Boser plated two more with a sacrifice fly out and an RBI single in the fifth. Boser, a USF transfer, hit his first home run as a Gator with a solo shot in the seventh inning before Air Force's Tripp Garrish answered with one of his own.

Two games, two Donay demos 🏗️#GoGators // 📺 https://t.co/shPGh4Zxuk pic.twitter.com/qz5pEFWwNQ
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 15, 2025

Next Up

The Gators will return to the field for Game Two of Saturday's double-header at around 4:40 p.m. Pierce Coppola will start on the mound.

Florida hits the road for a matchup on Tuesday at Jacksonville University. First pitch against the Dolphins is at 6:30 p.m. with streaming-only coverage on ESPN+.