Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – As Kevin O'Sullivan prepared for the start of his 13th season as head coach of the Gators baseball team, he generally voiced optimism that this year's team had the potential to move well past any lingering hangover from 2019.
 

The roster was balanced, the pitching talent deep and the lineup an intriguing mixture of veterans and newcomers. Eight games into the season, the Gators have not disappointed.

Well, that's not entirely true.

They upset the home crowd last weekend at Alex Rodriguez Park in Coral Gables three consecutive days, sweeping a weekend series over then-No.1 Miami. As a result, Florida (8-0) jumped to No. 1 in the latest D1Baseball.com national poll heading into Wednesday night's road game at Stetson. Tuesday's home game against Florida A&M has been postponed.

The season remains young but this is a Florida team off to its best start under O'Sullivan as he chases Dave Fuller to become the program's all-time winningest coach. O'Sullivan is 19 wins shy of surpassing Fuller's school-record for wins (557), a mark that has stood for 45 years.

Florida's sweep of Miami generated attention nationally and revved up the interest in Gator Nation. Let's take a closer look at a few reasons the Gators are off to their hot start:
  PITCHING PROGRESS
 
This was an area the Gators had to show improvement if they wanted to contend for an SEC East title. Coming off a season in which they posted a team ERA of 5.37, their highest since 2001, the Gators have a collective ERA of 2.37 through eight games. Sure, it's a small sample size, but you don't need to be Greg Maddux to decipher this staff has potential to be a very good one over the long haul. Starters Tommy Mace, Jack Leftwich and Hunter Barco set the tone in the Miami sweep, limiting the Hurricanes to eight hits and three runs over 18 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, a deep bullpen provides ample options for O'Sullivan. Sophomore right-hander Ben Specht has been a key component. He is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four appearances, holding opponents to a .167 average over 7 1/3 innings. Look for roles to continue to evolve among this group, but it's clear the Gators have an array of arms for O'Sullivan to call upon in tight spots. Overall, Florida's pitching staff has limited opponents to 57 hits in 76 innings.
  FABIAN ON RISE
 
Sophomore center fielder Jud Fabian entered the season as one of the best defensive outfielders at the collegiate level. He is showing signs of becoming one of the best all-around outfielders. Fabian is hitting .342 (13-for-38) with four doubles, three homers and a team-high nine RBI. With the Gators down to their final strike in Saturday's extra-inning win, Fabian's RBI double tied the game in the ninth and allowed the Gators to explode for four runs in the 10th to win 7-4. Fabian hit just .232 as a freshman after graduating early from Ocala's Trinity Catholic High and enrolling at UF. He flashed instant credentials as a defender, chasing down fly balls in every direction with a graceful fluidity. As the season progressed, Fabian began to look more comfortable at the plate. That has carried over into his second season and makes Fabian the most attractive player in the everyday lineup in the eyes of many professional scouts.
  RIVERA ROLLING
 
Shortstop Josh Rivera has made a smooth transition from prep standout to everyday starter in his first season. Rivera is second on the team with a .360 average and has two homers and seven RBIs. While he has committed two errors, it's easy to see why Rivera is considered an elite defensive shortstop. He has excellent range, a strong arm and superb athleticism that allows him to make plays others can't. Rivera's start is what the Gators had in mind two years ago for Brady McConnell, who struggled defensively and then was injured and missed most of the season. McConnell rebounded with a huge 2019 season and is now a top prospect in Kansas City's farm system. Rivera is certain to experience some ups and downs as opposing pitchers get a better scouting report on him, but his quick start has been an important ingredient for the Gators early in the season.
  VERSATILITY AT WORK
 
O'Sullivan raved about the depth of the lineup based on what he saw during the fall and winter. He expected to rotate players in and out based on performance other than for a few key spots. Thus far, that is exactly what has transpired. Only three position players – Fabian in center, Kirby McMullen at third and Cory Acton at second – have started all eight games. Rivera has started seven of eight at short and senior Austin Langworthy has been the primary left fielder, but the Gators have used various options at the other positions, with sophomores Jacob Young and Kendrick Calilao playing right field. Calilao, Kris Armstrong and Brady Smith have taken turns at first. Left-handed hitters Jordan Butler and Nathan Hickey have been used as the DH, and Hickey has caught behind Cal Greenfield. The combinations allow O'Sullivan to mix and match the lineup against opposing pitchers and keep competition at the forefront during the 56-game regular season. The Gators are hitting .287 as a team compared to .204 for their opponents.
  FINAL PITCH
 
The sweep at Miami raised the Gators' profile in a good way. The series had a postseason atmosphere and the Gators found ways to win thanks to contributions from the entire roster. Freshman left-hander Ryan Cabarcas closed out Sunday's win with his first career save. Nick Pogue earned the save on Friday night and Specht got the win Saturday. Fabian's double and McMullen's homer on Saturday night were clutch. It was that kind of weekend, setting the stage for what has the potential to be a surprising season.