GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida (11-6, 0-0 SEC) sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the eighth inning to pull away late and defeat Illinois State (9-5, 0-0 MVC), 13-5, Wednesday night in Gainesville, Fla. The Redbirds had rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth inning to cut the deficit to 6-5.
JD Learnard (1-2) allowed three runs in three innings of work and suffered the loss. Danny Young (2-0) pitched 1.2 scoreless relief innings for Florida for the victory. The Redbirds surrendered two home runs, including a grand slam in the eighth inning, in the loss.
Daniel Dwyer collected his third-career three-hit day for Illinois State and led Illinois State with two RBI. Joe Kelch, Sean Beesley and Paul DeJong each added two hits for the Redbirds. On the mound, Ben Hecht and Will Headean fired scoreless relief innings for the Redbirds.
Florida rallied for three runs in the third inning to take an early 3-0 lead. The Redbirds countered with one run in the fifth inning before Florida extended its lead to 6-1. A four run, five hit eighth inning pulled Illinois State within one, however Florida rallied for seven earned runs off Jack Czeszewski to put the game away.
Illinois State concluded its annual spring break road trip with a 3-2 overall record.
The Redbirds return to Normal to face Western Illinois Friday at the Corn Crib. First pitch is slated for 4:00 p.m.
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