Tuesday, March 10
Gainesville, Fla.
6:30 PM
Florida Gators
vs
Florida State
Brendan Lawson celebrates a home run during Florida's 5-4 victory over the Seminoles on April 8, 2025 at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainsville, Fla. / UAA Communications photo by Madilyn Gemme
No. 23 Gators Host First Battle with No. 20 Florida State
Monday, March 9, 2026 | Baseball
Florida won two of three against FSU in 2025 to claim its seventh season series in the last eight years.
GAINESVILLE, Fla - The No. 23 Florida Gators take on No. 20 Florida State at home on Tuesday in the first of three regular-season meetings against their in-state foe.
With first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+, the Gators (14-3) are looking to replicate last season's 5-4 victory over the Seminoles (13-2) in Gainesville. That was the decisive game three one year ago, as Florida won two of three matchups (W 7-2, L 8-4, W 5-4) to claim its seventh season series in the last eight over Florida State. The Gators have won 10 of the 16 season series during Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure, highlighted by wins in 24 of the last 32 meetings.
Powered by a dominant 37-23 record under O'Sullivan, Florida has moved the head-to-head series to 135-129-1 in favor of the Seminoles. Playing against FSU at home, the Gators wield a 67-50 overall advantage and 19-4 mark under O'Sullivan.
Pitching Matchups
CHECKING OUR POLLS
After playing to a 3-2 record last week, the Gators fell to No. 23 in the D1Baseball Top 25. Florida is still ranked as highly as No. 18 nationally in the USA Today Coaches Poll while coming in at No. 23 according to both Baseball America and Perfect Game.
SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES
Coming off a weekend sweep of Northern Kentucky (7-3, 13-3, 17-3) Florida State sits at 13-2 with a 1-0 record on the road. The Seminoles have swung the bats to a .310/.431/.502 slash line behind 18 homers and 17 steals in 21 attempts. On the mound, FSU hurlers have logged a 3.71 ERA, .204 batting average against and 164-to-52 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 126.0 innings pitched. Having committed 14 errors in 15 games, Florida State carries a .973 fielding percentage into Tuesday's matchup.
MIDWEEK MAGIC
With a 6-0 start to the midweek slate in 2026, Florida is 18-2 in midweek play dating back to last season. The Gators began at 8-0 in home midweek contests in 2025 before dropping their final home midweek game of the season to USF. Since 2025, Florida is outscoring midweek opponents, 171-to-89.
RUNNING THE STATE
Headlined by a pair of wins at No. 17 Miami and midweek victories over FAU and Florida A&M last week, the Gators are off to an 8-0 start this season vs. teams from the state of Florida. In 24 games against in-state foes since 2025, Florida is 20-4 featuring wins against Miami (four), Stetson (four), FIU (two), Jacksonville (two), North Florida (two), Florida State (two), Florida Atlantic (two) and Florida A&M (two).
BUSINESS AS USUAL
The Gators have won 31 of their last 39 regular-season games dating back to last season. Since the start of 2025. Florida is 36-7 in regular-season, non-conference play.
RELENTLESS REPTILES
By rallying from a five-run deficit to walk-off High Point in Sunday's finale, Florida boasts seven come-from-behind wins through 17 games. The Gators' five-run comeback marked their largest since May 15 of last season against Alabama (five runs).
GATOR TATERS
The Gators swatted a season-high six home runs on Sunday after homering just once in the first two games of the series vs. High Point. Florida's six long balls represented its most in a game since connecting for seven big flies against Stetson nearly two years ago on April 23, 2024.
LAW LAYS DOWN THE GAVEL
Two of Florida's six homers on Sunday came from sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson, who recorded his first-career, multi-homer game and now has a team-high eight home runs on the season. Leading the Gators in OPS (1.566), batting average (.418), on-base percentage (.584), slugging percentage (.982) and RBI (25), Lawson has reached base in all 17 games and sits top-25 nationally in slugging (10th), homers (12th), OBP (17th) and RBI (23rd).
JONESIN' TO GET GOING
Sitting among the top-20 players in the nation in hits (27) runs (23) and doubles (eight), center fielder Kyle Jones has led off nine of the 16 games he has started with a hit for a .563 batting average. Six of his nine leadoff knocks have gone for extra bases (one homer, five doubles), propelling Jones to eight runs after reaching via his leadoff at bat. Leading off any inning of the game, Jones is batting .485 (16-for-33). Slashing .418/.455/.632 overall, Jones leads the Gators in at bats (68), runs, hits and doubles on top of three steals and 18 RBI despite having led off 33 innings.
WHRITE'S OUT
Registering his first-career win with 1 2/3 scoreless frames in the finale vs. High Point, right-handed pitcher Joshua Whritenour has opened his career 7 1/3 scoreless frames across six appearances. The flame-thrower has struck out 10 against four hits and three walks while reaching as high as 101 MPH on the mound. The redshirt sophomore has recorded the final out for Florida in five of his six outings and is holding opposing hitters to a .160 batting average.
DESTINATION OMAHA
Fresh off the program's 17th-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, O'Sullivan is in his 19th campaign at the helm of the Gators. Since O'Sullivan's 2008 arrival, Florida leads the sport with 305 SEC wins, 41 MLB debuts, 10 top-eight seeds, nine College World Series trips, nine Super Regionals hosted and six SEC titles. The Gators have advanced to nine of the last 15 College World Series overall – by far the most in the sport.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets and SEC Five-Pack Mini-Plans are currently on sale now in addition to single-game tickets. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683.
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.
PARKING/SHUTTLES
Fans are encouraged to park at the Fifield and IFAS lots during the weekend. An increased number of shuttles will be available for transportation to the ballpark each day.
Click HERE for a Parking map.
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.
BALLPARK PURCHASES
Condron Family Ballpark food and beverage sales are fully cashless. For convenience and to improve speed of service, all concession stands will only accept credit cards, debit cards, or touchless payment with smartphones. Fans with cash can stop at the first base Concession Stand to exchange cash for a Gift Card. Gift Cards can be used at any concession stand within Condron Family Ballpark.
ON DECK
Southeastern Conference play gets underway as Florida hosts South Carolina at Condron Family ballpark for a three-game, weekend series from March 13-15.
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With first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+, the Gators (14-3) are looking to replicate last season's 5-4 victory over the Seminoles (13-2) in Gainesville. That was the decisive game three one year ago, as Florida won two of three matchups (W 7-2, L 8-4, W 5-4) to claim its seventh season series in the last eight over Florida State. The Gators have won 10 of the 16 season series during Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's tenure, highlighted by wins in 24 of the last 32 meetings.
Powered by a dominant 37-23 record under O'Sullivan, Florida has moved the head-to-head series to 135-129-1 in favor of the Seminoles. Playing against FSU at home, the Gators wield a 67-50 overall advantage and 19-4 mark under O'Sullivan.
Pitching Matchups
| Tuesday | 6:30 ET (SECN+) | |
|---|---|
| FSU | RHP John Abraham (1-0, 0.66 ERA) |
| Florida | RHP Schuyler Sandford (1-0, 1.69 ERA) |
| Links | WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS |
CHECKING OUR POLLS
After playing to a 3-2 record last week, the Gators fell to No. 23 in the D1Baseball Top 25. Florida is still ranked as highly as No. 18 nationally in the USA Today Coaches Poll while coming in at No. 23 according to both Baseball America and Perfect Game.
SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES
Coming off a weekend sweep of Northern Kentucky (7-3, 13-3, 17-3) Florida State sits at 13-2 with a 1-0 record on the road. The Seminoles have swung the bats to a .310/.431/.502 slash line behind 18 homers and 17 steals in 21 attempts. On the mound, FSU hurlers have logged a 3.71 ERA, .204 batting average against and 164-to-52 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 126.0 innings pitched. Having committed 14 errors in 15 games, Florida State carries a .973 fielding percentage into Tuesday's matchup.
MIDWEEK MAGIC
With a 6-0 start to the midweek slate in 2026, Florida is 18-2 in midweek play dating back to last season. The Gators began at 8-0 in home midweek contests in 2025 before dropping their final home midweek game of the season to USF. Since 2025, Florida is outscoring midweek opponents, 171-to-89.
RUNNING THE STATE
Headlined by a pair of wins at No. 17 Miami and midweek victories over FAU and Florida A&M last week, the Gators are off to an 8-0 start this season vs. teams from the state of Florida. In 24 games against in-state foes since 2025, Florida is 20-4 featuring wins against Miami (four), Stetson (four), FIU (two), Jacksonville (two), North Florida (two), Florida State (two), Florida Atlantic (two) and Florida A&M (two).
BUSINESS AS USUAL
The Gators have won 31 of their last 39 regular-season games dating back to last season. Since the start of 2025. Florida is 36-7 in regular-season, non-conference play.
RELENTLESS REPTILES
By rallying from a five-run deficit to walk-off High Point in Sunday's finale, Florida boasts seven come-from-behind wins through 17 games. The Gators' five-run comeback marked their largest since May 15 of last season against Alabama (five runs).
GATOR TATERS
The Gators swatted a season-high six home runs on Sunday after homering just once in the first two games of the series vs. High Point. Florida's six long balls represented its most in a game since connecting for seven big flies against Stetson nearly two years ago on April 23, 2024.
LAW LAYS DOWN THE GAVEL
Two of Florida's six homers on Sunday came from sophomore shortstop Brendan Lawson, who recorded his first-career, multi-homer game and now has a team-high eight home runs on the season. Leading the Gators in OPS (1.566), batting average (.418), on-base percentage (.584), slugging percentage (.982) and RBI (25), Lawson has reached base in all 17 games and sits top-25 nationally in slugging (10th), homers (12th), OBP (17th) and RBI (23rd).
JONESIN' TO GET GOING
Sitting among the top-20 players in the nation in hits (27) runs (23) and doubles (eight), center fielder Kyle Jones has led off nine of the 16 games he has started with a hit for a .563 batting average. Six of his nine leadoff knocks have gone for extra bases (one homer, five doubles), propelling Jones to eight runs after reaching via his leadoff at bat. Leading off any inning of the game, Jones is batting .485 (16-for-33). Slashing .418/.455/.632 overall, Jones leads the Gators in at bats (68), runs, hits and doubles on top of three steals and 18 RBI despite having led off 33 innings.
WHRITE'S OUT
Registering his first-career win with 1 2/3 scoreless frames in the finale vs. High Point, right-handed pitcher Joshua Whritenour has opened his career 7 1/3 scoreless frames across six appearances. The flame-thrower has struck out 10 against four hits and three walks while reaching as high as 101 MPH on the mound. The redshirt sophomore has recorded the final out for Florida in five of his six outings and is holding opposing hitters to a .160 batting average.
DESTINATION OMAHA
Fresh off the program's 17th-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, O'Sullivan is in his 19th campaign at the helm of the Gators. Since O'Sullivan's 2008 arrival, Florida leads the sport with 305 SEC wins, 41 MLB debuts, 10 top-eight seeds, nine College World Series trips, nine Super Regionals hosted and six SEC titles. The Gators have advanced to nine of the last 15 College World Series overall – by far the most in the sport.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets and SEC Five-Pack Mini-Plans are currently on sale now in addition to single-game tickets. Tickets can be purchased online or by contacting the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683.
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.
PARKING/SHUTTLES
Fans are encouraged to park at the Fifield and IFAS lots during the weekend. An increased number of shuttles will be available for transportation to the ballpark each day.
Click HERE for a Parking map.
- 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.
- Fans can follow this link to an interactive parking map.
- RV Parking is available in the Fifield Flat lot. Reserved RV parking is not available for Florida baseball games. All motor home parking is on a first come, first-served basis.
- On-board generators are permitted, however exterior or pull-along generators are prohibited at all times. For safety reasons, all motor homes/RVs are required to utilize exhaust extensions or "smoke stacks" to channel exhaust fumes to the top of the motor home/RV.
- Overnight stays are only allowed on weekend series in the Fifield Flat lot.
- Do Not Park Illegally
- Park in designated parking spots (Do not park on grass or in No Parking Zones).
- Vehicles are subject to towing if they block streets, sidewalks, service drives, or fire lanes, or if illegally parked in a disabled space.
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.
BALLPARK PURCHASES
Condron Family Ballpark food and beverage sales are fully cashless. For convenience and to improve speed of service, all concession stands will only accept credit cards, debit cards, or touchless payment with smartphones. Fans with cash can stop at the first base Concession Stand to exchange cash for a Gift Card. Gift Cards can be used at any concession stand within Condron Family Ballpark.
ON DECK
Southeastern Conference play gets underway as Florida hosts South Carolina at Condron Family ballpark for a three-game, weekend series from March 13-15.
Follow the Gators
#GoGators
Players Mentioned
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