Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan looks on from the dugout when Gators defeated the Mercer Bears 9-3 in a fall exhibition game at Condron Family Ballpark on Nov. 1, 2026. [Michael Mendoza/WRUF]

Florida Baseball Ends Fall Undefeated

Florida baseball ended its fall exhibition schedule 5-0 with a 15-1 victory in 12 innings Sunday against Air Force at Condron Family Ballpark.

The Gators trailed by one in the second inning before scoring 15 unanswered runs to roll behind the hitting of Nic Partridge, who led the way with three hits that drove in five runs.

“I don’t know if he hits in the middle of the lineup, I don’t know if he leads off for us, but certainly we’re going to find a place for him to play,” UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan said of Partridge.

Florida pitchers Schuyler Sandford, Trey Morris, Jackson Barberi, Zach Edwards, Joshua Whritenour, Cameron Hanes, Colin White and Caden McDonald held Air Force to 10 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts after Aidan King allowed the run in the start.

Florida infielder Landon Stripling (13) hits a two-run home run to defeat the Mercer Bears 9-3 in a fall exhibition game at Condron Family Ballpark on Nov. 1, 2026. He was 2-for-3 vs. Air Force. [Michael Mendoza/WRUF]

Having a deep bullpen could be the solution for the unexpected losses of last season, two of the most notable being to High Point and Jacksonville. High Point won its series 2-1 against Florida. The Gators also lost to Jacksonville on two separate occasions. All four of these losses were played at home, while the Gators also went 18-12 in the SEC.

Yet, the team ended last season with high pitching stats, including King’s SEC Pitcher of the Year title, 636 strikeouts and a 1.32 WHIP. For reference, the Oklahoma Sooners, the 2026 College World Series champions, had 660 strikeouts and a 1.38 WHIP, higher than Florida.

While preseason may not be an accurate indicator of the upcoming regular season, another takeaway from the fall preseason was Florida’s ability to score. Florida won the five exhibition games by a margin of 56-19, homered 14 times and slashed .305/.385/.531 while holding opponents to a .168/.276/.277 line.

Florida also played well defensively this fall, going 52 1/3 innings with just one error in five games.

Only time will tell whether the fall success will reflect in the regular season. Florida’s first three-game series is against Queens at Condron Family Ballpark begins Feb. 19.

Category: Baseball, College Baseball, Gator Sports, Gators Baseball, SEC