Florida baseball beats No. 5 Kentucky, but loses RF Ty Evans to a broken wrist
Florida baseball bounced back from a heartbreaking loss on Friday with a 10-1 win over No. 5 Kentucky at Condron Family Ballpark Saturday.
But the win came at a price.
The Florida Gators (26-24, 11-15 SEC) lost starting right fielder Ty Evans to a broken wrist in the fifth inning after he crashed into the padded fence down the right field line chasing for a foul ball.
"Unfortunately I think his wrist is broken," Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "Obviously it's going to take some time, so it's unfortunate."
The injury will likely sideline Evans the rest of the season. Evans emerged as a postseason hero, belting 5 home runs during the 2023 College World Series, and carried it over to 2024.
Evans is batting .316 on the season with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs. Of late, he's been batting third in the order to protect Florida two-way star Jac Caglianone, who was intentionally walked three times on Saturday.
"It's like a dagger to the heart, really," Florida third baseman Dale Thomas said. "He's one of my best friends. I love that kid to death. He's a competitor, he's a winner. He goes out there and gives everything for the team."
With Hayden Yost now starting in center field, Florida could turn to center fielders Michael Robertson or Jaylen Guy to replace Evans in the lineup, and move Yost to right field.
"Someone is going to have to step up," O'Sullivan said.
Luke Heyman homered twice on Saturday and Cade Kurland went 2 for 3 with a homer, double and 3 RBIs to power UF's offense. Freshman Liam Peterson (2-4) allowed one run over six innings to earn the win and junior Ryan Slater pitched three scoreless innings to close the game out for his first save of the season.
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun Florida beat writer. Contact him at KBrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevinBrockwayG1
Florida will go for its first SEC series win since March 29-31 against Mississippi State when plays its home finale on Sunday at noon against Kentucky (36-11, 19-7 SEC). Caglianone will make his final home start of the season.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida baseball loses starting RF Ty Evans to broken wrist in win over UK
