GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Aidan King pitched eight strong innings and the Florida Gators rode a five-run eighth inning to a 9-2 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday evening at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

King scattered four hits, allowed two earned runs and struck out six in an 8-inning outing that lowered his season ERA. The junior right-hander, who earned his sixth win of the season, retired the side in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings after Texas A&M’s early outburst.

The Gators, now 29-14 overall, improved to 14-8 in Southeastern Conference play. Texas A&M fell to 31-8 overall and 13-5 in the SEC.

Texas A&M seized a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when first baseman Gavin Grahovac launched a two-run homer to left field, scoring Jace Harrison who had singled earlier. The Aggies had five hits in the game, but managed only one more after Grahovac’s blast.

Florida answered in the bottom of the first, cutting the lead to 2-1 on a run-scoring single by Ashton Bowen. The Gators tied the game in the third inning when left fielder Blake Cyr doubled to right center, driving in Hayden Lawson. Designated hitter Cade Kurland followed with a double to left center that scored Cyr and gave Florida a 3-2 advantage.

The Gators extended the lead in the sixth inning when designated hitter Caden McDonald homered to center field, his 10th of the season. McDonald finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs.

Florida put the game out of reach in the eighth inning against a succession of Texas A&M relievers. After a leadoff double by K. Jones and a hit batter, the Gators loaded the bases on a walk. Cyr was hit by a pitch to force in a run. A groundout by Bowen scored another run, and then Kurland reached on a throwing error by the shortstop that allowed two more runs to cross. Kurland was thrown out attempting to advance to second, but the damage was done.

Florida’s 13 hits were spread across the lineup. Cyr was 2 for 3 with two RBIs, Kurland went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, and McDonald provided the solo home run. For Texas A&M, Grahovac had the lone extra-base hit, a home run, and drove in both runs.

The Aggies used five pitchers. Starter Shane Sdao lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up no hits but three earned runs and striking out four. Grant Cunningham, Cooper Powell, Hunter Bond and Weston Billings combined for the remaining 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs, four of them earned.

Florida closer Billy Barlow pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Texas A&M entered the game after sweeping a three-game series at LSU last weekend, while Florida had lost two of three at home to Auburn. The series continues Saturday and Sunday.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Texas A&M 8, Florida 4. Interstat’s ELO system had given Texas A&M a 54.20 percent probability to win.