GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Tenth-ranked Florida jumped to a 3-0 first-inning lead when Matt LaPorta homered with two own, then cruised to an 8-2 victory Friday over Mississippi State in the first of a three-game weekend series with the Southeastern Conference foe.<br>
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The Gators (33-17, 16-9 SEC) entered the weekend a half-game behind Tennessee (35-14, 15-8 SEC) for the top spot in both the conference and the Eastern Division standings.<br>
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Bryan Ball (6-5) allowed the Bulldogs eight hits but pitched for 8 1/3 innings for the win.<br>
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Alan Johnson (3-6) took the loss for Mississippi State (32-17, 11-13 SEC).<br>
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Infielder Jeffrey Rea scored the first run for the visitors, after a double in the third, and drove in the other with a single in the ninth.<br>
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(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
