Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The number stands out: 3.25.

That was the average ERA for the Florida Gators pitching staff from 2015-2018. All four of those years, the Gators ranked in the top five of the Southeastern Conference, twice leading the conference in team ERA. Not coincidentally, they also ended up in the College World Series all four seasons.

So, even with the team losing quite a bit of talent following the 2018 season, it was reasonable to expect the Gators to still boast one of the best pitching staffs in the conference.

They didn't.

The 2019 season was a challenging one for Florida. The Gators finished with a 5.37 team ERA, ranking 13th in the SEC. And they fell short of the CWS for the first time since 2014, with a 9-8 loss to Dallas Baptist University in the Lubbock Regional serving as the dagger that ended their season.

It was a disappointing finish and a serious wake-up call for a program that has become known as a national pitching powerhouse.

"I think everyone is kind of pissed off about last year on the pitching end," said Gators starter Jack Leftwich. "Because the hitters did really good, but it was kind of on our shoulders, and so we've been working really hard this offseason to just, like, mature and kind of grow up … we have the talent, it's just doing it when it's during the game and so we just need to, like, you know, either have a higher level of focus or compete a little more and so, I think it will be good. I think everyone has a little chip on their shoulder because last year, that was kind of on us."

A junior right-hander, Leftwich is one of the Gators' starting pitchers looking to bounce back this year after a sub-par 2019 campaign. He posted a 5.31 ERA over 62.2 innings pitched. Some of his struggles can be attributed to a hand blister that hampered him throughout the season and forced him to miss some time.

After recovering from the injury, though, Leftwich caught fire toward the end of the season. Over his last three games, Leftwich surrendered just four runs total, and he pitched a complete game shutout against Missouri last May. The game earned him SEC Pitcher of the Week.

It's something he hopes can translate to success this season.

"Yeah, I just think being healthy will help," said Leftwich. "And then I went up to summer ball and I felt really good and healthy finally. So, it was just hard to come back from the blister on my finger, so once I was healthy, I felt good and had my confidence back. So, I think that will definitely translate into this year."

Along with Leftwich, Gators ace Tommy Mace is seeking a rebound season of his own. The righty from Tampa had his own struggles last year, posting a 5.32 ERA over a team-leading 89.2 innings. He does have some positives to build off of as he led the team with 74 strikeouts a year ago and cemented himself as the regular Friday night starter.
 
Despite the few positives from both Leftwich and Mace, both know that last year was not good enough. As a result, the two have made it their personal mission to push the other pitchers on the team to ensure that the struggles of 2019 do not become the norm. Last fall, when the team hit the weight room, there were  no games, only business.

"I think our whole offseason was — we got after it in the weight room as a team," said Mace.

The push from Mace and Leftwich this past fall has made the pitching staff both physically and mentally stronger. Having dealt with the adversity from last season, both have grown from the experience, and feel like it is their responsibility to lead the group to bigger and better things.

"They're awesome guys," said Gators pitcher Garrett Milchin. "They're really good leaders for the younger guys on the staff. I would say that they — in ways I try and help guys on our staff with off the field stuff, they are really good at on the field stuff as, you know, they've been healthy and good to go and haven't missed very many games throughout their whole careers. They've been really good at helping some of the younger guys find their way on the field."

The Gators hope that veteran leadership pays dividends, as they bring in a freshman class that is filled with talent. They are also returning sophomore pitchers that got plenty of experience last season.

With a depth chart loaded from top to bottom, Florida goes into the season once again with championship aspirations. The talent is there to compete for a title, now all that's left is the execution on the field.

The road to Omaha is ahead. And for the Gators pitching staff, it's also a road to redemption.