Florida Baseball Takes on Bethune-Cookman

Florida Gators baseball returns to Condron Family Ballpark on Tuesday, as it hosts Bethune-Cookman in a midweek matchup. 

Florida s (27-10) looks to stay consistent at the plate, while also managing pitching depth in a non-conference game. 

The Gators return from a trip to Athens, Ga., where they upset then-No. 4 Georgia, winning Friday’s game 8-2 and Sunday’s 13-7. 

Infielder Ethan Surowiec was 3-for-6 with a home run and 5 RBIs in the final game to help Florida clinch the series. Junior Hayden Yost also hit two home runs in that contest, potentially earning a permanent spot in the lineup.

On the mound for the Gators is freshman lefty Jackson Hoyt (0-0, 12.00 ERA), who will be making his first collegiate start. He has appeared in six outings so far this season, recording six strikeouts while surrendering six hits, five walks and eight earned runs across six total innings.

Looking ahead, the Wildcats (25-11) look to enter strong against Florida following a significant upset win in its last midweek matchup, defeating now-unranked LSU 10-7 on April 7. Bethune-Cookman has shown that it can compete in high-pressure road environments. It will start left pitcher Dawson Turner (0-0, 12.27).

This matchup for the Gators also provides an opportunity for a reset in rotation in their lineup and evaluating depth pieces, which is becoming increasingly important as the season is moving to its final stretch. The Gators can use this matchup as a momentum tracker in order to refine their game. 

With Florida looking to avoid another midweek slip-up. Florida has seen struggles in these matchups, including Jacksonville in late March in which it upset the Gators in a 4-3 win.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+ (Radio coverage begins at 6:25 p.m. on 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF).

Category: Baseball, Gators Baseball