Although the temperature was only 72 degrees Fahrenheit in Gainesville, Florida, the Tigers felt the heat Saturday night against the No. 1 Gators. Missouri struck out 14 times in a 6–2 loss.

Florida starter A.J. Puk threw seven scoreless innings, striking out 11 batters. Puk is ranked as one of the top 2016 Major League Baseball draft prospects.

Missouri’s Tanner Houck was not as successful as Puk, whom he played with on Team USA over the summer. The sophomore gave up five earned runs over six innings and fell to 2–2 on the year.

Freshman Deacon Liput got Florida on the board with a second inning solo home run. Freshman Jonathan India brought in another run with a single, making the Gators’ lead 2–0.

In the fourth inning, Houck allowed two singles. A sacrifice put runners on the corners, and a fly ball put Florida up three. Peter Alonso homered for the Gators two innings later, upping the score to 4–0.

After the first two Florida batters reached base in the seventh inning, coach Tim Jamieson called on freshman Graham Ruopp to replace Houck. India singled home another run to bring the Gators’ lead to five.

The Tigers tried their best to make things interesting late. In the top of the eighth, freshmen Brian Sharp and Ian Nelson walked to start the inning. Junior Ryan Howard reached base on a fielder’s choice, putting runners on first and third for junior Jake Ring.

Ring ripped a double into right, scoring Sharp and Howard. The Gators’ lead was down to three. Unfortunately for the Tigers, sophomore Trey Harris struck out to end the inning.

Florida picked up an insurance run in the eighth on a Mike Rivera home run.

The Tigers will try to avoid a series sweep at noon Sunday. Senior Austin Tribby is the projected starting pitcher for Missouri.