Gators eliminate Arkansas

Florida pitcher A.J. Puk delivers against Arkansas during the first inning of a Southeastern Conference college baseball tournament game, Friday, May 22, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Florida pitcher A.J. Puk delivers against Arkansas during the first inning of a Southeastern Conference college baseball tournament game, Friday, May 22, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Arkansas' stay at the SEC Tournament is over.

The No. 20 Razorbacks were eliminated with a 10-0 loss to No. 6 Florida on Friday. The game was called in the seventh inning because of a mercy rule.

Arkansas finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. The Razorbacks (35-22) will find out their NCAA postseason destination Monday.

Florida starter A.J. Puk was dominant, striking out 11 batters in a complete game. Puk allowed just three hits and worked around three walks.

At one point, Puk struck out nine of 10 Arkansas hitters. The left-hander has at least 10 strikeouts in three of his last four starts.

Florida (42-16) will play No. 1 LSU on Saturday in the tournament semifinals.

The Gators scored a run in the first inning and added five more in the third to take command. Arkansas starter Dominic Taccolini gave up four earned runs in two-plus innings, leaving the game with the bases loaded and no outs in the third inning.

Josh Alberius gave up three runs in the seventh inning. Jacob Stone replaced Alberius and allowed a two-out RBI single by Mike Rivera, giving the Gators a 10-run seventh inning lead and ending the game.

Buddy Reed went 3-for-3 with a run scored to lead Florida offensively. Harrison Bader had 2 RBIs.

The top of Arkansas' lineup struggled most against Puk. The top three batters finished the game 0-for-8 with five strikeouts.

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