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It’s been 234 days since the Florida Gators piled on top of one another in Omaha to celebrate the school’s first national championship. Throughout the offseason, head coach Kevin O’Sullivan has been telling this year’s Gator baseball team to write their own story.
Friday night against Siena, Brady Singer and the Gators will begin to pen chapter one.
New season, new team, same goal.
Less than 24 hours til first pitch. #Gators #OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/Ey6hN1BSzB
— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 15, 2018
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday
Florida: Brady Singer (2017: 9-5, 3.21 ERA) vs. Siena: Brendan White (2017: 5-7, 4.96 ERA)
Saturday
Florida: Jackson Kowar (2017: 12-1, 4.08 ERA) vs. Siena: Tommy Miller (2017: 5-6, 5.28 ERA)
Sunday
Florida: Tyler Dyson (2017: 4-0, 3.23 ERA) vs. Siena: John Nolan (2017: 1-3, 13.50 ERA)
O’Sullivan’s team enters the 2018 season as the No. 1 team in the country in every poll. The high expectations are thanks in part to a strong, proven starting rotation. However, it’s important to note that most of the staff will have a more stringent pitch count early in the season.
Preseason All-American Brady Singer knows that will be the case and said he’s had a great spring.
Baseball America ranks Singer as the No. 1 draft prospect in the country. Not far behind at No. 8 is Florida’s Saturday starter Jackson Kowar. A big key for Kowar this Saturday and throughout the 2018 campaign will be working on limiting the free passes. In 2017, he issued a team-high 44 walks.
Closer Michael Byrne, also a preseason All-American, returns to anchor the Gator bullpen. O’Sullivan knows what he’s getting with Byrne. It’s the freshmen additions to the pen, according to O’Sullivan, that are going to need to step up.
The Siena Saints finished 10th in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2017. This year, according to head coach Tony Rossie, the team has above-average hitting and average pitching. Rossi said Gator fans should expect to see a lot of different arms on the mound. Additionally, he’s focused on making sure his players improving both individually and collectively to be ready for conference play.
New Changes with Old Faces
Junior Deacon Liput is suspended to begin the season for off-the-field issues. O’Sullivan will be turning to fellow junior Blake Reese to, at least temporarily, take his place at second base. Reese can and has played almost every position for the Gators.
O’Sullivan said junior Nelson Maldonado, who is still nursing an injury, will DH. Sophomore transfer Wil Dalton will start in right field.
With the departure of Mike Rivera, team captain JJ Schwarz will be asked to take on a heavier role behind the plate. O’Sullivan touched on how he’ll be constantly communicating with Schwarz to see how his legs are adjusting to the increased workload.
You can listen to Florida take on Siena beginning at 6:25 p.m. on ESPN 98.1 FM & 850 AM WRUF.
It’s finally here! #OpeningNight pic.twitter.com/hwrEhCo1wP
— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 16, 2018
