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The Florida Gator Baseball team is set to kick off their 2016 campaign against the FGCU Eagles Friday night at McKethan Stadium. Florida comes into this weekend series as the top ranked team in the country; Gators were last ranked number one back in 2012.
The Orange and Blue return 18 players from last season, which includes six starters and their whole weekend rotation. Florida also boast the nations top recruiting class bringing in 12 new players. Six of the newcomers the Gators have were drafted last June but elected to come play college ball instead. This includes right handed pitcher Brady Singer who was drafted in the second round by the Toronto Blue Jays. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan says the freshman might be nervous for their first game but they will settle in.
The Gators won the SEC championship last year and were picked in the preseason poll to repeat as champs. Florida made it all the way to Omaha but came up one win shy of the finals after losing to Virginia in the semi’s. O’Sullivan knows his team is anxious to play and reach Omaha again this season.
Florida will have the same weekend rotation as they did for a majority of the season last year. Logan Shore takes the mound Friday night with junior AJ Puk getting the Saturday start, and sophomore Alex Faedo getting the nod on Sunday.
FGCU will send out senior Brady Anderson on Friday night with Sterling Koerner and Mario Leon getting the Saturday and Sunday starts respectively. O’Sullivan compliments the Eagles experience and veteran leadership.
Last meeting between these two teams was back in April of 2014 in Fort Meyers. The Gators came away with a 7-1 win making them 9-5 against FGCU under Kevin O’Sullivan. Florida is 13-1 in opening series at home since 2002.
The wait is almost over – the #Gators are back in action tonight! #GoGators pic.twitter.com/XwWucCCUdG
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 19, 2016
First pitch from McKethan Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m. Saturday first pitch is at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday the series will wrap up with game time at 1:00 p.m.
