Quarterback Graham Mertz said the Gators are out to prove themselves right during an appearance on the SEC Network. (Photo: Lorenzo Vasquez/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Five Tidbits — Messenger Mertz, Big Jac's Numbers, Wallace's Bid & More
Thursday, April 4, 2024 | General, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — You've probably heard the expression. Perhaps not as often as "one day at a time" or "we gave it 110 percent," but the phrase pops up often this time of year.
Spring has sprung.
Based on my exhaustive morning research, American poets Ogden Nash or E.E. Cummings often get credit for the "Spring has Sprung" ditty, though according to the Columbia Journalism Review, the real author is lost in antiquity.
In all honesty, who cares? Most of us are so consumed by taking selfies that the only way you'll catch us reading a poem is, well, if holding the poem adds a touch of distinct flavor to one of our selfies.
The point of this poetic opening is to say that in the world of the Florida Gators, spring has definitely sprung and is springing all over the place. There's a lot going on for Gators fans, and here are five things that have my attention heading into another busy weekend for the Orange & Blue: 1. Keep an eye on Gators senior Maisie Filler at the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Filler opened Wednesday with a 4-under 68, which was tied for third. Filler is playing the second round today at Champions Retreat Golf Club. Those who make the cut have a practice round Friday at Augusta National, and then the final round is on Saturday. Filler is playing in the event for the second consecutive year and has her sister, Nathalie Filler, as her caddie. Nathalie played at the University of Delaware and is now a professional. Maisie was pleased with her start. "It was a really solid day,'' she said. "My putting was really spot on. I felt really comfortable on the greens." You can follow Filler's scorecard in the second round.
2. The UF baseball team will try to win its fourth consecutive SEC series this weekend on the road at Missouri. The Gators have taken two of three against Texas A&M, LSU and Mississippi State to start conference play. Meanwhile, two-way star Jac Caglianone is living up to the hype with a walk-off homer against the Bulldogs and a massive 491-foot shot on Tuesday night against Florida A&M. Caglianone hit perhaps the most majestic homer of his career two seasons ago at Missouri. What will he do for an encore? You never know with Caglianone, but the junior has not disappointed fans or the stream of MLB scouts this season who fill the ballpark every time he takes the field as a two-way performer.
#Gators standout Jac Caglianone's updated stats: .397 BA, 14 HR, 30 RBI, 1.257 OPS (for fun, that is ahead of McGwire's 1.222 in '98 and trails only Bonds' 1.378 in '01 in MLB single-season history) ... Meanwhile, 3-0, 2.18 ERA (33 IP, 15 H, 22 BB, 44 SO)...shot @katielparkpic.twitter.com/R3gT8RDN1h
3. As good as Caglianone has been, have you noticed what softball standout Skylar Wallace is doing? She leads the SEC in hitting (.484), runs (57), on-base percentage (.636) and stolen bases (24). Wallace is 45-for-93 with 11 doubles, four triples, eight homers and 39 RBI. She ranks second in the SEC in slugging (.946) and total bases (88). The reigning SEC Player of the Year is making a strong case to become only the third player in history to be named conference POY in back-to-back seasons, which would add company to Mississippi State's Iyhia McMichael (2003-04) and Alabama's Charlotte Morgan (2009-10).
Skylar Wallace is having another outstanding season for the UF softball team. (Photo: Catherine McCarthy/UAA Communications)
4. Gators quarterback Graham Mertz appeared on the "Paul Finebaum Show" Wednesday evening. The Gators are in the third quarter of spring camp and Mertz is eager for the season to arrive after suffering a season-ending broken collarbone at Missouri in November. Mertz is healthy and continues to represent the Gators in a first-class manner. Coming off a 5-7 season, we all know the prominent storylines around the team heading into next season. Mertz already comes off as a five-year NFL veteran at the mic and delivered a nice twist to the "we're out to shock the world" mantra that players often use when the outside noise is louder than normal.
"We're not out to prove the haters wrong, we're out to prove each other right."@GrahamMertz5 is feeling loose and believing in the team that's developing down in Gainesville this spring pic.twitter.com/rq4PK2QNDH
5. The Gators gymnastics team hosts the NCAA Gainesville Regional at the O'Dome Thursday-Sunday with a berth to the NCAA Finals in Fort Worth on the line. Florida looks to rebound from its fourth-place finish at the SEC Championships two weeks ago in New Orleans. The first round on Thursday features a dual meet between Clemson and Iowa State. This is Clemson's first season with a gymnastics team. The Tigers finished runner-up at the ACC Championships. Florida opens on Friday night against SEC rivals Missouri, Georgia and the Iowa State-Clemson winner.
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