Deacon Liput will return to the Florida Gators lineup Wednesday when the Gators host UCF at McKethan Stadium.
“He’s going to come back with us on Wednesday and we’re excited he’s coming back,” O’Sullivan said.
The junior infielder was indefinitely suspended prior to the season for an undisclosed off the field issue in the fall. Liput was away from the team in the fall but rejoined practice and lifting in the spring. He’s been with the team at home games but hasn’t traveled to road games at Miami and UNF.
The junior started a team-high 70 games last season during his sophomore season, including 68 starts. He led the Gators with 12 RBI in postseason play including 7 in the College World Series.
Liput’s absence opened the door for junior Blake Reese, who has been starting at second base. Through 11 games Reese is hitting .370 with seven doubles. O’Sullivan can’t and won’t take that production out of the lineup, so it will be interesting to see how he pieces together the lineup.
“I don’t plan on taking Blake out,” O’Sullivan said. “We’ll look at it but Blake’s certainly earned his opportunity to play.”