CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Interstat) — In a highly anticipated early-season clash of unbeaten titans, Florida rode a dominant start from Liam Peterson and a perfect day from Brendan Lawson to defeat Miami 7-2 on Friday evening at Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The game, a matchup of teams with identical 10-1 records entering the weekend series, was defined by a pitcher’s duel for six innings before the Gators broke it open with a four-run eighth.

Peterson, Florida’s ace right-hander, was nearly untouchable, carrying a no-hit bid into the sixth inning. He finished with 5 2/3 innings pitched, allowing two earned runs on just two hits while striking out eight. His only trouble came in the sixth when Miami finally broke through. Jake Ogden doubled and scored on an infield single by Jason Liam, and Daniel Torres came home on a Brylan West single to cut the Florida lead to 3-2.

Jackson Barberi relieved Peterson with two outs in the sixth and extinguished the threat, then proceeded to shut down the Hurricanes the rest of the way. Barberi tossed 3 1/3 perfect innings of relief, striking out three to earn the save and preserve the victory.

The Gators provided all the offense Peterson would need in the first inning. After a quick out, Lawson launched a solo home run to deep left field, his fourth of the season, off Miami starter AJ Ciscar.

Florida added single runs in the fourth and eighth innings on sacrifice flies by Cash Strayer and Colby Cyr, respectively. Ciscar was otherwise sharp for the Hurricanes, working seven innings and allowing three runs on five hits with six strikeouts.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the eighth, turning a tight 3-2 contest into a comfortable Florida win. After Cade Kendall led off with a solo homer to make it 4-2, the Gators capitalized on a critical Miami error. Shortstop Ogden’s fielding error put a runner on, sparking a protracted inning that saw four Hurricanes pitchers struggle to find the plate.

Lawson, who finished 3 for 3 with a walk, drove in an unearned run with a single. Strayer later drew a bases-loaded walk, and Cyr’s sacrifice fly brought in another. Pinch-hitter Landon McDonald capped the rally with an RBI single, though a relay throw cut down a second runner at the plate. All four runs in the inning were charged to the Miami bullpen after Ciscar’s departure.

Lawson’s homer and two RBIs led a seven-hit Florida attack that maximized its opportunities with two sacrifice flies. Miami out-hit Florida 8-7, with West and Liam each driving in a run, but the Hurricanes stranded several key runners and could not solve the combination of Peterson and Barberi after the sixth.

The victory extends Florida’s winning streak and hands Miami its second loss of the season. The intrastate rivals are scheduled to continue their three-game series Saturday afternoon.

Peterson’s performance continued a stellar start to his season, following a 12-strikeout outing against Kennesaw State on Feb. 20. The Gators’ pitching staff has now held opponents to three runs or fewer in eight of their 11 games.

Both teams entered the contest with identical records and national statistical projections that heavily favored a close game, with one simulator even predicting a one-run Miami victory. Instead, Florida’s pitching and a late offensive burst delivered a statement win on the road.