Friday, February 24
Gainesville, FL
6:30 PM
Florida Gators
vs
Cincinnati
No. 7 Gators Host Bearcats in Weekend Series
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 7 Florida baseball team returns to action this weekend, hosting Cincinnati of the American Athletic Conference in a three-game series spanning from Friday, Feb. 24 to Sunday, Feb. 26.
All three games of the series will stream live on SEC Network+. The opener is scheduled for Friday night at 6:30 p.m., while games two and three have first pitch times of 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. on Sunday.
This weekend marks the second-ever series between Florida (4-1) and Cincinnati (2-2) including the first since 2006, when the Gators defeated the Bearcats by scores of 10-0, 10-4 and 20-4 for a home sweep. That equates to a 3-0 record and a 40-8 run differential for the Gators against the Bearcats.
Pitching Matchups
Florida ranks inside the top seven in the nation in every major poll, peaking at No. 2 at Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. The Gators are the NCBWA's No. 3 team, but come in at No. 7 in the D1Baseball Top 25.
WEEKEND PROMOS
There is a giveaway for fans all three games this upcoming weekend. On Friday, 500 Florida baseball pint glasses will be handed out to students as they exit the ballpark. As for Saturday, Albert buttons are available for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Wrapping up on Sunday, the first 500 fans will receive vouchers for Florida stress balls (exit giveaway).
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati was picked to finish seventh out of eight teams in the American Athletic Conference after going 24-31 (12-12 AAC) one season ago. The Bearcats are hitting .214 as a team and have a 6.39 staff ERA backed by a .969 fielding percentage.
LAST TIME OUT
Florida is coming off a midweek split with South Florida, winning 6-1 in Tampa before falling, 10-9, at home. The tandem of freshman left-hander Cade Fisher, righty Ryan Slater and closer Brandon Neely combined for 15 strikeouts against one walk in game one, allowing just one unearned run on five hits. First baseman Jac Caglianone homered in both games, going 6-for-8 with three extra-base hits, three runs, three RBI, two walks and zero strikeouts.
NON-CON RESUME
Off to a 4-1 start already this season, Florida went 20-5 (.800) against non-conference regular season opponents in 2022. That mark featured a 19-3 record following the opening weekend of the year, including wins over No. 5 Florida State and No. 22 Miami.
THE STARTING LINE
Last weekend, UF starting pitchers struck out 22 batters over 17 1/3 innings (11.4 K/9) while allowing just six total hits and posting a 2.60 ERA. All three starters - Brandon Sproat, Hurston Waldrep and Caglianone - earned victories. Caglianone had the most impressive outing, blanking Charleston Southern across 6 2/3 innings with two hits, one walk and nine strikeouts to earn the win.
FOR HITS AND GIGS
With 62 hits through five games (12.4 hits/game), Florida is tied for fourth nationally in base knocks. The Gators have tallied 11 or more hits in four of five games and nine or more in every contest. Seven Gators have at least six hits while nine qualified UF hitters are batting .313 or better. Florida is hitting .358 as a team - good for 10th in the country.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Through five games, Florida is tied for the NCAA lead while pacing the SEC with 18 doubles. Outfielder Ty Evans (.421/.476/.684) leads the charge, as his team-high five two-baggers are tied for the third-most in the nation and lead all SEC players.
HIGHLY OFFENSIVE
As for other offensive categories, the Gators rank 10th nationally in batting average (.358, fourth in SEC), T-11th in runs (52, T-third in SEC), 18th in slugging (.607) and T-28th in triples (two). Overall, Florida is slashing .358/.443/.607 as a team.
SPROAT GOAT
Dating back to April 29 of last season when he took over the Friday night role vs. Kentucky, Sproat has made seven starts and is 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 14 walks across 45 1/3 innings - and Florida is 7-0. That equates to an average of 6.48 innings per start over that period, during which Sproat has pitched at least 5 1/3 frames with three earned runs or fewer in every outing. In his first start of 2023, he did not allow a hit across 5 2/3 innings.
KURLAND WHIRLWIND
Freshman infielder Cade Kurland should still be in high school, but enrolled early at UF and is leading the Gators in hits, batting average, OBP, slugging and OPS entering the weekend. Having played in four games including three starts at second base, Kurland is hitting .600/.692/1.100 with one home run, two doubles, five runs and six RBI. He recorded two hits in all three of his starts.
SHELLY CELLY
After transferring in from Santa Fe CC, infielder Tyler Shelnut has quickly found a groove in Gainesville, batting .313/.421/.813 with two homers (tied for team high), two doubles, four runs and four RBI. He has started all five games for Florida.
TYME FLIES
Through five games, Evans is tied for eighth in the nation with 11 RBI. He is slashing .421/.476/.684 with five doubles and 11 RBI in 19 at bats. Last season, Evans totaled five doubles and 16 RBI across 99 at bats.
GONE FISHING
On the heels of his first two freshman outings, Fisher has not allowed an earned run across five innings spanning two appearances (one start). He has struck out seven and walked zero batters, holding a 0.80 WHIP.
SLATER-AID
Slater blanked USF across three one-hit innings of relief to earn the win in Tampa on Tuesday. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.
FIC-MAGIC
Also standing out among the relief corps, righty Nick Ficarrotta shined at home against the Bulls on Wednesday. Over 3 2/3 frames of relief, Ficarrotta allowed one earned run on four hits and zero walks, striking out a career-high seven batters. It is the second time in his last three appearances he has struck out six or more, and his third time across his last six outings.
COOL WHIFFS
Of the 10 Gators pitchers to throw at least one inning this season, eight have struck out more than one batter per inning. Through five games, Florida has six pitchers who have struck out at least five batters (Caglianone, Fisher, Sproat, Ficarrotta, Waldrep, Neely). Meanwhile, Florida starters have struck out at least six batters in four of five starts so far this season.
TELL ME WYATT
2022 First Team All-American Wyatt Langford is hitting .333/.400/.667 with one homer, one triple, two doubles, seven runs and four RBI through five games. He also has one outfield assist - the third of his career - and has maintained his perfect 1.000 career fielding percentage thus far.
RIOPELLE RAKING
Picking up where he left off after a First Team All-SEC season, catcher BT Riopelle owns a .412/.444/.647 slash line with one homer, one double, eight RBI (second on team), six runs and one steal. He accounted for UF's first home run of 2023, a three-run shot in the first inning of the season opener vs. CSU.
DRAFT BUZZ
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel recently released his list of top-100 prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft, with Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford coming in at No. 1 overall (Waldrep - No. 19, Sproat - No. 54). According to MLB Pipeline, Langford ranks No. 3 overall, followed by Waldrep (No. 10) and Sproat (No. 78). Florida is the only school with two top-10 prospects for the upcoming draft.
FRESH FACES
A talented group of 14 newcomers join the squad this year, featuring nine freshmen and five transfers. According to D1Baseball, the Gators' freshman class was ranked No. 5 in the country while Florida's transfer class came in at No. 7.
ON DECK
Florida has two midweek games next week in the form of a home-and-home with Jacksonville. The Gators travel to take on the Dolphins on the road on Tuesday at 6 p.m., before hosting Jacksonville on Wednesday on SEC Network+ at the same time.
TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Condron Family Ballpark on game day should be aware of updated traffic patterns surrounding the ballpark. Fans are advised to utilize Ballpark Way, which will serve as a connecting route to the ballpark from Archer Road. For departures, a postgame traffic flow pattern guide can be found here.
PARKING/SHUTTLES
General Parking is available in the west Condron Family Ballpark baseball lot and the Fifield parking lot located directly across Hull Road. Disabled parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Condron Family Ballpark west lot with a valid Disabled Placard. Click HERE for a Parking map.
There will be a free shuttle service provided to and from the Fifield parking lot each day of the weekend series.
MOBILE TICKETING & FLORIDA GATORS APP
As a reminder, mobile ticketing is required. There will be two ways to access your tickets:
1) through the Florida Gators app from your mobile device or
2) through FloridaGators.com/myaccount. Fans will also be able to transfer or donate their tickets easily within the app or online.
For a smoother and safer entry on game day, we encourage fans to add their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay account in advance of coming to the ballpark. You may also learn more about mobile ticketing in this quick video.
All three games of the series will stream live on SEC Network+. The opener is scheduled for Friday night at 6:30 p.m., while games two and three have first pitch times of 4 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. on Sunday.
This weekend marks the second-ever series between Florida (4-1) and Cincinnati (2-2) including the first since 2006, when the Gators defeated the Bearcats by scores of 10-0, 10-4 and 20-4 for a home sweep. That equates to a 3-0 record and a 40-8 run differential for the Gators against the Bearcats.
Pitching Matchups
| Friday | 6:30 p.m. (SECN+) | Saturday | 4 p.m. (SECN+) | Sunday | 12 p.m. (SECN+) | |
| Cincinnati | RHP Garrett Harker (0-0, 1.80 ERA) | LHP Chase Horst (0-0, 2.25 ERA) | RHP Chase Hopewell (0-0, 9.00 ERA) |
| Florida | RHP Brandon Sproat (1-0, 4.76 ERA) | RHP Hurston Waldrep (1-0, 3.60 ERA) | LHP Jac Caglianone (1-0, 0.00 ERA |
| Links | WATCH | LISTEN | WATCH | LISTEN | WATCH | LISTEN |
Florida ranks inside the top seven in the nation in every major poll, peaking at No. 2 at Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. The Gators are the NCBWA's No. 3 team, but come in at No. 7 in the D1Baseball Top 25.
WEEKEND PROMOS
There is a giveaway for fans all three games this upcoming weekend. On Friday, 500 Florida baseball pint glasses will be handed out to students as they exit the ballpark. As for Saturday, Albert buttons are available for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Wrapping up on Sunday, the first 500 fans will receive vouchers for Florida stress balls (exit giveaway).
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Cincinnati was picked to finish seventh out of eight teams in the American Athletic Conference after going 24-31 (12-12 AAC) one season ago. The Bearcats are hitting .214 as a team and have a 6.39 staff ERA backed by a .969 fielding percentage.
LAST TIME OUT
Florida is coming off a midweek split with South Florida, winning 6-1 in Tampa before falling, 10-9, at home. The tandem of freshman left-hander Cade Fisher, righty Ryan Slater and closer Brandon Neely combined for 15 strikeouts against one walk in game one, allowing just one unearned run on five hits. First baseman Jac Caglianone homered in both games, going 6-for-8 with three extra-base hits, three runs, three RBI, two walks and zero strikeouts.
NON-CON RESUME
Off to a 4-1 start already this season, Florida went 20-5 (.800) against non-conference regular season opponents in 2022. That mark featured a 19-3 record following the opening weekend of the year, including wins over No. 5 Florida State and No. 22 Miami.
THE STARTING LINE
Last weekend, UF starting pitchers struck out 22 batters over 17 1/3 innings (11.4 K/9) while allowing just six total hits and posting a 2.60 ERA. All three starters - Brandon Sproat, Hurston Waldrep and Caglianone - earned victories. Caglianone had the most impressive outing, blanking Charleston Southern across 6 2/3 innings with two hits, one walk and nine strikeouts to earn the win.
FOR HITS AND GIGS
With 62 hits through five games (12.4 hits/game), Florida is tied for fourth nationally in base knocks. The Gators have tallied 11 or more hits in four of five games and nine or more in every contest. Seven Gators have at least six hits while nine qualified UF hitters are batting .313 or better. Florida is hitting .358 as a team - good for 10th in the country.
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Through five games, Florida is tied for the NCAA lead while pacing the SEC with 18 doubles. Outfielder Ty Evans (.421/.476/.684) leads the charge, as his team-high five two-baggers are tied for the third-most in the nation and lead all SEC players.
HIGHLY OFFENSIVE
As for other offensive categories, the Gators rank 10th nationally in batting average (.358, fourth in SEC), T-11th in runs (52, T-third in SEC), 18th in slugging (.607) and T-28th in triples (two). Overall, Florida is slashing .358/.443/.607 as a team.
SPROAT GOAT
Dating back to April 29 of last season when he took over the Friday night role vs. Kentucky, Sproat has made seven starts and is 6-0 with a 1.99 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 14 walks across 45 1/3 innings - and Florida is 7-0. That equates to an average of 6.48 innings per start over that period, during which Sproat has pitched at least 5 1/3 frames with three earned runs or fewer in every outing. In his first start of 2023, he did not allow a hit across 5 2/3 innings.
KURLAND WHIRLWIND
Freshman infielder Cade Kurland should still be in high school, but enrolled early at UF and is leading the Gators in hits, batting average, OBP, slugging and OPS entering the weekend. Having played in four games including three starts at second base, Kurland is hitting .600/.692/1.100 with one home run, two doubles, five runs and six RBI. He recorded two hits in all three of his starts.
SHELLY CELLY
After transferring in from Santa Fe CC, infielder Tyler Shelnut has quickly found a groove in Gainesville, batting .313/.421/.813 with two homers (tied for team high), two doubles, four runs and four RBI. He has started all five games for Florida.
TYME FLIES
Through five games, Evans is tied for eighth in the nation with 11 RBI. He is slashing .421/.476/.684 with five doubles and 11 RBI in 19 at bats. Last season, Evans totaled five doubles and 16 RBI across 99 at bats.
GONE FISHING
On the heels of his first two freshman outings, Fisher has not allowed an earned run across five innings spanning two appearances (one start). He has struck out seven and walked zero batters, holding a 0.80 WHIP.
SLATER-AID
Slater blanked USF across three one-hit innings of relief to earn the win in Tampa on Tuesday. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.
FIC-MAGIC
Also standing out among the relief corps, righty Nick Ficarrotta shined at home against the Bulls on Wednesday. Over 3 2/3 frames of relief, Ficarrotta allowed one earned run on four hits and zero walks, striking out a career-high seven batters. It is the second time in his last three appearances he has struck out six or more, and his third time across his last six outings.
COOL WHIFFS
Of the 10 Gators pitchers to throw at least one inning this season, eight have struck out more than one batter per inning. Through five games, Florida has six pitchers who have struck out at least five batters (Caglianone, Fisher, Sproat, Ficarrotta, Waldrep, Neely). Meanwhile, Florida starters have struck out at least six batters in four of five starts so far this season.
TELL ME WYATT
2022 First Team All-American Wyatt Langford is hitting .333/.400/.667 with one homer, one triple, two doubles, seven runs and four RBI through five games. He also has one outfield assist - the third of his career - and has maintained his perfect 1.000 career fielding percentage thus far.
RIOPELLE RAKING
Picking up where he left off after a First Team All-SEC season, catcher BT Riopelle owns a .412/.444/.647 slash line with one homer, one double, eight RBI (second on team), six runs and one steal. He accounted for UF's first home run of 2023, a three-run shot in the first inning of the season opener vs. CSU.
DRAFT BUZZ
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel recently released his list of top-100 prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft, with Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford coming in at No. 1 overall (Waldrep - No. 19, Sproat - No. 54). According to MLB Pipeline, Langford ranks No. 3 overall, followed by Waldrep (No. 10) and Sproat (No. 78). Florida is the only school with two top-10 prospects for the upcoming draft.
FRESH FACES
A talented group of 14 newcomers join the squad this year, featuring nine freshmen and five transfers. According to D1Baseball, the Gators' freshman class was ranked No. 5 in the country while Florida's transfer class came in at No. 7.
ON DECK
Florida has two midweek games next week in the form of a home-and-home with Jacksonville. The Gators travel to take on the Dolphins on the road on Tuesday at 6 p.m., before hosting Jacksonville on Wednesday on SEC Network+ at the same time.
TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Condron Family Ballpark on game day should be aware of updated traffic patterns surrounding the ballpark. Fans are advised to utilize Ballpark Way, which will serve as a connecting route to the ballpark from Archer Road. For departures, a postgame traffic flow pattern guide can be found here.
PARKING/SHUTTLES
General Parking is available in the west Condron Family Ballpark baseball lot and the Fifield parking lot located directly across Hull Road. Disabled parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Condron Family Ballpark west lot with a valid Disabled Placard. Click HERE for a Parking map.
There will be a free shuttle service provided to and from the Fifield parking lot each day of the weekend series.
MOBILE TICKETING & FLORIDA GATORS APP
As a reminder, mobile ticketing is required. There will be two ways to access your tickets:
1) through the Florida Gators app from your mobile device or
2) through FloridaGators.com/myaccount. Fans will also be able to transfer or donate their tickets easily within the app or online.
For a smoother and safer entry on game day, we encourage fans to add their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay account in advance of coming to the ballpark. You may also learn more about mobile ticketing in this quick video.
Players Mentioned
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