Logan Pearson hit a leadoff homer and finished with two RBIs to help Missouri defeat Florida 8-2 on Sunday in Columbia, Mo., and end the Gators’ season-high eight-game winning streak.
Pearson went 3-for-4, freshman Josh Lester was 4-for-4, and Dylan Kelly had three hits and two RBIs as the Tigers (13-22, 5-13 SEC) avoided a three-game sweep. Taylor Gushue went 3-for-4 with a solo homer for the Gators (22-19, 10-8).
Freshman right-hander Tucker Simpson (1-2) took the loss for UF, allowing two runs — one earned — and four hits in 2 2/3 innings. He gave up Pearson’s leadoff shot and an RBI single to Kelly in the first as Missouri took the lead for good at 2-0. Kelly’s single followed an error by Gators third baseman Zack Powers — one of two he committed in the game.
Missouri led 4-1 after six innings and broke the game open with two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings. Pearson had an RBI triple in the eighth. The sophomore’s homer earlier was his first of the season.
Casey Turgeon had an RBI fielder’s choice for the Gators in the ninth. UF was outhit 14-7.
The Gators will return home to play Tuesday night against South Florida, winner of 12 in a row.
No. 7 Virginia 5, No. 6 Florida State 2: The Cavaliers (35-6, 16-5 ACC) used a four-run third inning to hand starting pitcher Scott Sitz his first loss of the season and complete a three-game sweep of the Seminoles (31-9, 13-8 ACC) — the first time FSU has been swept on the road since 2010 against Clemson.
Sitz, a senior right-hander, fell to 7-1 on the year. He gave up four runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He allowed two walks in the third inning plus a two-run double to Jared King, who finished 3-for-4.
Starter Nick Howard (5-3) earned the win for Virginia, allowing one run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings.
Seth Miller had two hits for FSU.
Miami 7, No. 20 Clemson 0: Sophomore left-hander Andrew Suarez threw his first career shutout, pitching a six-hitter to lead the host Hurricanes (27-16,10-11 ACC) past the Tigers (27-13,13-8 ACC).
Miami won the final two games in the series and allowed just two runs, setting a team record for a three-game series. Suarez (3-3) topped his previous career high of seven innings pitched. He struck out five and walked none.
Dale Carey had three RBIs for the Hurricanes, and Alex Hernandez went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Louisiana-Lafayette 12, Florida Atlantic 2 (7 innings): Seth Harrison hit a grand slam as part of a six-run first inning and the host Ragin' Cajuns (27-13, 10-8 Sun Belt) rolled past the Owls (26-14, 11-7) to win the weekend series two games to one. Sean Murrell had an RBI double for FAU.
South Florida 4, Connecticut 3: Jimmy Falla drove in a pair of runs to help the visiting Bulls (26-14, 10-2), in first place in the Big East, complete a three-game sweep of the Huskies (23-16, 8-7) and extend their winning streak to 12.
Central Florida 11, Marshall 0 (7 innings): Brian Adkins pitched a three-hitter as the host Knights (22-19, 8-7 Conference USA) routed the Thundering Herd (14-24, 4-8) and won the rubber game of the series. James Vasquez had three RBIs for UCF.
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