Florida tagged Arkansas starting pitcher Hagen Smith for multiple runs in each of the first two innings, and the 22nd-ranked Gators evened the series with a 7-2 victory over the No. 2 Razorbacks on Friday.
The teams are scheduled to play the series finale Saturday at noon Central.
Smith, a freshman left hander, allowed 7 runs (6 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks in 4 1/3 innings. The runs and hits were season highs for Smith, and his one strikeout was a season low. Smith threw 77 pitches.
The Gators (20-11, 4-7 SEC) scored twice against Smith in the first and second innings, and went ahead 5-0 in the third on BT Riopelle’s leadoff home run.