GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Florida Gators erupted for four runs in the first inning and never looked back, routing the North Florida Ospreys 11-1 in seven innings Tuesday evening at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

Florida starter Cooper Walls worked three scoreless innings, allowing three hits while striking out two, before giving way to Billy Barlow, who earned top-star honors. Barlow pitched three innings of one-hit relief, striking out two without allowing an earned run. The Gators improved to 32-17, while North Florida fell to 26-21.

The Ospreys took an early lead in the top of the first when Gomez singled to right field, but the run was not immediately reflected on the scoreboard. Florida answered swiftly in the bottom half. Kyle Jones doubled to left center, and after a walk and a hit batter, Ethan Surowiec walked with the bases loaded to force in Jones, tying the game. Conner McDonald then singled up the middle, driving in Blake Cyr and Lawson to give Florida a 3-1 lead. Later in the inning, Kurland singled to right center, scoring Surowiec for a 4-1 advantage.

North Florida’s Jeremiah Stewart entered in relief and pitched four scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out one. But the Gators built on their lead in the fourth. With one out, Kurland was hit by a pitch, moved to second on an error and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice. Jones singled to center, scoring Kurland, and Cyr followed with an RBI single to left, making it 6-1.

In the fifth, Landon Stripling homered to right field, extending the lead to 7-1. The Gators added two more in the sixth. Cyr doubled and scored on Surowiec’s single to left. Stripling then doubled to left center, plating Surowiec for a 9-1 advantage.

North Florida’s lone run came in the top of the seventh. Benjamin walked, advanced on a hit batter and a walk, then scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Collins. But Florida answered in the bottom of the seventh. H. Yost was hit by a pitch, Jones walked, and Lawson walked to load the bases. Cyr grounded into a double play, allowing Yost to score. Jones then scored on a wild pitch, setting the final margin at 11-1.

Florida’s pitching staff combined to allow just four hits and one earned run, with Barlow and Walls each contributing score outings. Christian Rodriguez and Ricky Reeth also saw action, with Reeth striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. For North Florida, Stewart’s four shutout innings were a bright spot, but defensive miscues – including two errors by the shortstop – led to unearned runs.

Jones and Cyr each had two hits and an RBI, while Stripling finished 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Surowiec drove in two runs on a hit and a walk. North Florida’s Gomez had two hits, including a double.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of North Florida 5, Florida 4, but the Gators’ ELO system gave them an 83.70 percent probability to win. Florida had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 4.5 runs.