University of Florida second baseman Josh Adams of Jacksonville was recognized as the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday after playing a key role in the Gators’ series sweep of Auburn. In his league debut, he batted a sizzling .727 (8-for-11) with a 1.273 slugging percentage as the Gators started 3-0 in SEC play for the first time since 2002 and improved to 14-3 overall.
Adams totaled three multiple-hit efforts versus the Tigers and reached base 10 times in 13 plate appearances with eight hits and two walks. He doubled to left center in the fourth inning of the first game to open the scoring and finished 3-for-4 with two runs and a stolen base. The Eagle’s View Academy product cranked a three-run homer in the first stanza of game two, added an RBI single in the second and a double in the fourth during UF’s 12-8 win. In Sunday’s finale, Adams delivered a first-inning RBI single to help the Gators draw first blood on their way to a 6-2 triumph and wound up 2-for-3 on the afternoon with his fifth theft in five attempts.
Adams leads Florida with eight multiple-hit outings, four round-trippers and a .724 slugging percentage this season and ranks second on the squad in batting average (.397), RBI (21), walks (10) and doubles (five). He has started in five different positions already (second base, third base, left field, center field and right field) and committed only one error.
The Gators return to action on Tuesday by welcoming No. 3 Florida State (16-1/6-0 ACC) to McKethan Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. contest. Junior left-hander Stephen Locke of Tampa (1-0, 4.30) will take the mound against Seminole junior right-hander Bo O’Dell (1-0, 3.60).