Gator Country

Gators reliever Karsten Whitson improved to 2-0 on the season despite recording only two outs in relief during Sunday's 6-3 victory against Georgia in McKethan Stadium. / Gator Country photo by Mike Capshaw

After watching his team take a three-run lead in the sixth inning, Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan breathed easy. He felt really good, actually. He had plenty of confidence in his bullpen, something most Southeastern Conference coaches lack in the late innings on most Sundays.

With a wry smile, O’Sullivan explained the reasoning behind his confidence.

“When you’ve got seven or eight outs to go and you’ve got (Karsten) Whitson, (Steven) Rodriguez and (Austin) Maddox, you feel pretty good about your pitching,” O’Sullivan said.

While most bullpens are depleted by Sunday, Florida had a trio of pro-level arms ready. Rodriguez and Maddox saw significant work in Friday’s 16-inning, 3-2 win some 40 hours earlier, but that didn’t concern O’Sullivan. Greg Larson, who relieved starter Hudson Randall with no outs in the fourth, also pitched Friday.

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