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Florida walks off Rider with 8-7 win in Gainesville Regional

On3 imageby: Zach Abolverdi05/29/26ZachAbolverdi

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators opened NCAA Tournament play on Friday in walk-off fashion. UF won the Gainesville Regional opener with an 8-7 victory over Rider that featured some late-inning drama.

The Gators jumped out to a 4-0 lead through six frames before the Broncs pulled ahead with a six-spot in the top of the eighth, including a grand slam by Anthony Paskell, as UF went through three relievers in the inning.

Florida regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth with three runs on two homers by Caden McDonald and Cade Kurland. The Broncs evened the score in the ninth before Brendan Lawson hit a walk-off home run.

The Gators have won 11 of their last 13 games, including three straight SEC series. Florida surpassed the 40-win threshold for the 29th-time in program history, including the 12th season under coach Kevin O’Sullivan.

Here are live updates from Florida (40-19, 18-12 SEC) vs. Rider (33-19, 22-8 MAAC).

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 9th: Florida 8, Rider 7

05/29/2026 03:22:54 PM

The Broncs tied the game again in the top of the ninth with a solo shot by Matt Leahy, the second homer allowed by Whritenour. But in the bottom of the inning, Lawson hit a leadoff dinger — his 17th of the year — for the walk-off win.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 8th: Florida 7, Rider 6

05/29/2026 02:55:57 PM

The Broncs took the lead with a six-spot in the eighth. After loading the bases against UF, Anthony Paskell hit a two-out grand slam to tie the game against Jackson Barberi. He replaced Ernesto Lugo-Canchola as both issued a leadoff walk and neither made it through the eighth. Florida turned to its third reliever of the inning, Joshua Whritenour, who gave up a double and a two-run homer before a strikeout to end the frame. The Gators responded with a leadoff home run by McDonald. After Karson Bowen’s triple, Cade Kurland homered to right field to put Florida back in front.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 7th: Florida 4, Rider 0

05/29/2026 02:14:49 PM

Caden McDonald chucked a zero in his first full frame with one strikeout and one hit. Brendan Lawson had his first hit of the game — and UF’s eighth — but he was left on base.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 6th: Florida 4, Rider 0

05/29/2026 01:54:01 PM

Stripling hit a solo shot to right center to drive in his second run. It was his sixth homer of 2026. Sandefer gave up his second hit and a walk in the sixth before he was pulled. He pitched 5.2 scoreless frames with five strikeouts. Caden McDonald replaced him and drew the last out of the inning.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 5th: Florida 3, Rider 0

05/29/2026 01:48:10 PM

Jones drove in his second run with an RBI single to score Yost after his leadoff double. Jones and Yost have four of UF’s five hits. Sandefer pitched his second straight 1-2-3 frame and third of the game. He’s up to five Ks with one-hit in five shutout innings.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 4th: Florida 2, Rider 0

05/29/2026 01:13:25 PM

Caden McDonald had a leadoff double for UF’s third hit of the game and then scored on Landon Stripling’s RBI sac fly. Sandefer tossed his second 1-2-3 frame and has pitched four scoreless innings.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 3rd: Florida 1, Rider 0

05/29/2026 12:58:36 PM

The Gators loaded the bases with their second hit by Hayden Yost and back-to-back walks but left all three runners stranded. Sandefer chucked another no-hit frame and only threw 12 pitches in the third. He’s thrown 40 for the game. Rider’s Will Gallagher was initially called safe at first for a two-single single before being ruled out after review.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 2nd: Florida 1, Rider 0

05/29/2026 12:36:31 PM

Sandefer gave up his first hit, a single by Charley Magoulick, but fanned his fourth batter for another scoreless and 14-pitch inning. After UF’s homer in the first, Broncs pitcher PJ Craig tossed a 1-2-3 frame and struck out Caden McDonald for his second K.

By:Zach Abolverdi

End of 1st: Florida 1, Rider 0

05/29/2026 12:20:17 PM

Kyle Jones hit a leadoff jack on Rider’s first pitch. It marked the sixth home run of the season for Jones. Russell Sandefer struck out the side to open the game with a 14-pinch inning.

Florida Gators Starting Lineup

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

SP: RHP Russell Sandefer

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