The $15 million renovation of Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium will be unveiled tonight when the Gators host Japan in an exhibition. (Photo: Herb Brooks/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Softball's Big Week, Grantham in News, More Gators tidbits
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 | General, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- It's difficult to imagine a better opening weekend for the Florida softball team. The Gators (5-0) opened the season at the USF Invitational, winning their five games by a combined score of 33-4, including victories over ranked opponents Michigan and Arizona.
Next up: opening their new ballpark.
Florida is scheduled to unveil its $15 million renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Tuesday night in an exhibition against Japan. That is if Mother Nature is cooperative. The local forecast is calling for showers around game time. Should the festivities get rained out, the Gators host North Florida on Wednesday night in the official home opener.
Regardless, it's a big week for the Gators, who travel to Tempe, Ariz., for the Littlewood Classic following their brief stop at home.
For more on Florida softball and other happenings in Gator Nation, here are some fresh links from around the internet:
-- Renovated Katie Seashole Pressly makes its debut writes Zach Abolverdi of The Gainesville Sun.
-- The biggest issue surrounding the UF football team at the moment is whether defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will be back next season. Grantham is reportedly a candidate to become the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator writes Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Grantham is no stranger to the NFL having served stints in Indianapolis, Houston, Cleveland and Dallas. Grantham has not coached in the NFL since 2009 when he was the Cowboys' defensive line coach. The Bengals have reportedly asked permission to interview Grantham as new head coach Zac Taylor turns his attention to the defense after filling out his offensive staff.
Note: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning that Grantham is interviewing with the Bengals today.
-- Chris Vannini of TheAthletic.com ($) with the latest from the always-spinning coaching carousel.
-- These S&P+ preseason rankings (they call them advanced metrics) are out and Matt Baker of The Tampa Bay Times takes a look at where the Gators stack up.
-- The UF men's basketball team has plenty to build on after loss to No. 1-ranked Tennessee writes Tyler Nettuno of The Independent Florida Alligator.
-- With his former team mired in a 17-game losing streak (yes, I had to look it up to see if the Knicks are really that bad), former Gators standout Joakim Noah put up an impressive double-double in win over New Orleans to show he still has some game left.
-- The HBC got off to a winning start as head coach of the Orlando Apollos and then delivered a winning quote for those long-suffering Redskins fans writes Cindy Boren of The Washington Post.
-- ICYMI on FloridaGators.com, here is the info you need for Florida's annual Orange & Blue Game on April 13 via Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.
-- The UF baseball team opens the season on Friday and Wayne Cavadi of NCAA.com offers his all-time starting nine for Gators.
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Next up: opening their new ballpark.
Florida is scheduled to unveil its $15 million renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Tuesday night in an exhibition against Japan. That is if Mother Nature is cooperative. The local forecast is calling for showers around game time. Should the festivities get rained out, the Gators host North Florida on Wednesday night in the official home opener.
Regardless, it's a big week for the Gators, who travel to Tempe, Ariz., for the Littlewood Classic following their brief stop at home.
For more on Florida softball and other happenings in Gator Nation, here are some fresh links from around the internet:
-- Renovated Katie Seashole Pressly makes its debut writes Zach Abolverdi of The Gainesville Sun.
-- The biggest issue surrounding the UF football team at the moment is whether defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will be back next season. Grantham is reportedly a candidate to become the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator writes Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Grantham is no stranger to the NFL having served stints in Indianapolis, Houston, Cleveland and Dallas. Grantham has not coached in the NFL since 2009 when he was the Cowboys' defensive line coach. The Bengals have reportedly asked permission to interview Grantham as new head coach Zac Taylor turns his attention to the defense after filling out his offensive staff.
Bengals have formally requested permission to interview Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for their open coordinator position, sources tell @TheAthleticCFB.
— Will Sammon (@WillSammon) February 11, 2019
feeling is he is a lead candidate, per sources. unclear when he would interview.
Note: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning that Grantham is interviewing with the Bengals today.
-- Chris Vannini of TheAthletic.com ($) with the latest from the always-spinning coaching carousel.
-- These S&P+ preseason rankings (they call them advanced metrics) are out and Matt Baker of The Tampa Bay Times takes a look at where the Gators stack up.
-- The UF men's basketball team has plenty to build on after loss to No. 1-ranked Tennessee writes Tyler Nettuno of The Independent Florida Alligator.
-- With his former team mired in a 17-game losing streak (yes, I had to look it up to see if the Knicks are really that bad), former Gators standout Joakim Noah put up an impressive double-double in win over New Orleans to show he still has some game left.
-- The HBC got off to a winning start as head coach of the Orlando Apollos and then delivered a winning quote for those long-suffering Redskins fans writes Cindy Boren of The Washington Post.
-- ICYMI on FloridaGators.com, here is the info you need for Florida's annual Orange & Blue Game on April 13 via Edgar Thompson of The Orlando Sentinel.
-- The UF baseball team opens the season on Friday and Wayne Cavadi of NCAA.com offers his all-time starting nine for Gators.
From last RT:
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 6, 2019
C Mike Zunino (10-12)
1B Matt LaPorta (04-07)
2B David Eckstein (94-97)
3B Pat Osborn (00-02)
SS Mark Ellis (96-99)
OF Brad Wilkerson (96-98)
OF Ben Harrison (01-04)
OF Preston Tucker (09-12)
SP Logan Shore (14-16)
Who's in YOUR all-time #Gators starting lineup?
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