Missed opportunities left the Gators on the losing side in a close game against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 2-1, Sunday March 9 at Maloney Field.

Starting pitcher Nolan Sheridan threw a total of seven innings allowing only two earned runs. Sheridan was replaced by closing pitcher Cory Davis, who pitched a solid two innings allowing no hits. Sheridan received the loss and now is 2-4 for the season so far.

“We had great pitching from Nolan and Cory,” said head coach Mike Cummins. “But we just missed every opportunity that we had to score and need to work on that.”

The Gators defense came alive in the top of the sixth, when Carter Loud made a diving catch in right field to end the inning.

A small altercation between Davis and the umpire occurred in the middle half of the ninth inning. Davis apparently was using a blue glove and the umpire told Davis that he must use a brown or black glove. Davis was not pleased and walked away.

“It was stupid that he told me to change my glove,” said Davis. “He was trying to tell me that I wasn’t allowed to wear a blue glove and I told him it was a lie and walked away.”

Third baseman Danny Souza took a called third strike to end the game on a controversial call by the home plate umpire. After the game both SF State’s players and fans voiced their displeasure with the call.

“Even though the umpire calls were bad, we can’t let that effect us,” said Souza, “We need to play our game.”

Davis had been using this blue glove for the past two games and the same umpire was at both games. The umpire did not say anything to Davis at any of these games.

The Gators have a long time to think about this close loss as they are off the whole upcoming week, they don’t play again until March 21 against Sonoma State.