After a sensational performance vs No.1 Texas last weekend, Florida Gators right-handed pitcher Aidan King was named SEC Freshman of the Week, as announced by the league on Monday afternoon. The selection marks King’s third SEC weekly honor this season after earning Freshman of the Week on April 14th and SEC Pitcher of the Week on March 3rd. Monday’s announcement marks Florida’s seventh SEC weekly award as a team this season.
In a critical rubber match game vs No.1 Texas, King tossed a career high seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and three walks. The Jacksonville, Florida native also posted career highs in strikeouts (9) and total pitches (110).
“I don’t remember a freshman pitching on the road like this, and pitch as well as he did, and if it has happened it hasn’t happened in a long time,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said on King postgame.
Handing the Longhorns their first home series loss of the 2025 season, King now holds a 5-2 record, 2.90 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 64-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 59.0 frames. The UF true freshman has allowed one earned run in 14 1.1 innings over his last three starts for a 0.63 ERA. King also boasts the lowest earned run average amongst freshman starting pitchers in the country.
“What Aidan is able to bring to the table is his ability to throw the fastball on both sides of the plate, and that was just a totally different look for their hitters to see today,” O’Sullivan said on King’s performance. “After a little bit of a shaky start, he walked the first two guys, he just collected himself and was nothing short of outstanding.”
King’s dominant outing gave Florida its first series victory against the nation’s No.1 ranked team since sweeping No. 1 Texas A&M back in 2016.
“I was really proud of the way he collected himself,” O’Sullivan said on King. “Most times freshmen when the game speeds up on them they kind of a lose it a little bit, but he certainly turned things around,” O’Sullivan said on King.
Sunday’s victory launched Florida back in the top 25 rankings, sitting at No.23 in D1Basebll’s recent poll. The Gators will close out the regular season with a three-game series vs No.18 Alabama starting on Thursday.
Florida’s 2025 SEC Weekly Award Winners
Aidan King – Freshman of the Week (May 12)
Hayden Yost – Player of the Week (May 5)
Brendan Lawson – Freshman of the Week (April 21)
Aidan King – Freshman of the Week (April 14)
Aidan King – Pitcher of the Week (March 3)
Brendan Lawson – Freshman of the Week (Feb. 24)
Brody Donay – Player of the Week (Feb. 17)