Florida Baseball Takes On Georgia Southern

After taking two of three from Mississippi State on the road, Florida returns home Tuesday night for a crucial midweek matchup against Georgia Southern.

Headed home #GoGators pic.twitter.com/Utu9TynHqF

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 21, 2025

Florida (27-15, 6-12 SEC) had not claimed a road SEC series win all season, making this past weekend’s victory a much-needed confidence boost. Although their seven-game win streak was snapped in Sunday’s finale, the Gators’ offense exploded across the three-game set—plating 32 runs on 41 hits and outscoring the Bulldogs by seven.

Liam Peterson led the charge on the mound Friday night, tossing six strong innings with only three earned runs allowed and six strikeouts. It was a return to form for the sophomore right-hander, who’s been working his way back from injury.

Offensively, it was a team-wide slugfest. Florida mashed 10 doubles and seven home runs in Starkville, but no bat was hotter than Brody Donay. The junior snapped out of his SEC slump in a big way, going 8-for-15 with three home runs, a double, six runs scored and five RBIs. Most notably, he struck out just twice—a huge improvement in an area that had plagued him during conference play.

Donay No-Doubter #GoGators // ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/VNzcPXFBnU

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 20, 2025

Georgia Southern Matchup Comes at a Key Moment

Tuesday’s 6 p.m. (SEC Network+) home game against Georgia Southern (23-17, 9-9 Sun Belt) doesn’t carry SEC implications, but it is a pivotal tone-setter for the week. With No. 5 Arkansas coming to town this weekend, Florida needs to keep its bats hot and momentum rolling.

The Gators showed plate discipline over the weekend, drawing 15 walks and getting on base via two hit-by-pitches. They also limited strikeouts to 33 in 117 at-bats. That kind of approach will need to continue against a scrappy Eagles squad that won’t be an easy out.

SEC Honors

Infielder Brendan Lawson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for the second time this season Monday. Collecting hits in all four games, Lawson had multiple hits in every matchup at MSU to finish the week slashing .412/.450/.765 with one triple, four doubles and five RBI. On the season, Lawson is now tied for the team lead with 44 RBI on top of a .324/.441/.570 batting line, eight homers and nine doubles.

What’s at Stake

With a top-five team looming, Florida can’t afford a letdown. Georgia Southern provides one final test to clean up mistakes, solidify the lineup and maintain the offensive rhythm that sparked the series win over Mississippi State.

A dominant win Tuesday would serve as a launching pad into a critical weekend again No. 5 Arkansas, that could define the rest of their SEC campaign.