Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad is looking to build their resume before the selection show on Monday as the Gators are right on the bubble for a regional host in the NCAA Tournament. Florida took a step in the right direction on Tuesday night with a dominant 11-3 win over South Carolina in the first round of the SEC Tournament. While Florida’s win over the Gamecocks won’t significantly improve their metrics, the Gators avoided a ‘bad loss’ that would have dropped their RPI, potentially killing their chances at a top 16 seed. Florida improved to 38-19 (15-15 SEC) on the 2025 season and will play Ole Miss in the second round at 9:00 p.m. est.
It was a shaky start in Hoover, Alabama as Florida starter Billy Barlow worked the bases loaded to start the game without recording an out. After getting Jase Woita to ground into a double play, Barlow escaped the first inning allowing just one run, which was critical for momentum on the mound and at the plate.
Florida took the lead in second inning behind a three-run bomb from Bobby Boser, his 16th home run of the season which tied Brody Donay for the team high. The tie only lasted two batters as Donay launched his 17th home run of the season to give Florida a 4-1 lead in the third inning.
The Gators would score at least one run in the second, third, fourth, and fifth innings vs South Carolina, taking complete control of the game. Florida had five batters record a multi-hit game. Outfielder Ty Evans went 3-5 at the plate with two doubles and two RBI while outfielder Hayden Yost recorded two RBI hits including his 4th home run of the season in the 5th inning.
South Carolina cut the lead to four after a two-run top of the 8th, but a flurry of walks from the Gamecocks’ pitching staff loaded the bases with nobody out for Florida’s red-hot offense. Brendan Lawson, Ty Evans, and Brody Donay recorded three straight RBI base knocks to put the game out of reach.
While Barlow’s start looked rough in the 1st inning, he settled down nicely and gave Florida 3.2 innings of one run ball while allowing four hits and three walks. It wasn’t the smoothest outing for the junior right hander, but Barlow made pitches when he needed to most.
The Gators may have found something in freshman right hander Blaine Rowland, who two weeks ago had just two innings pitched under his belt at the college level. Making his 6th appearance of the season vs South Carolina, Rowland tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief before allowing two runs on three straight hits. It was clear that Rowland just ran out of gas as his pitch count was at 50, 19 pitches more than his career high. Rowland didn’t walk or hit a single batter and pitched at an impressive pace.
Redshirt sophomore Christian Rodriguez came in and slammed the door shut, allowing just one base runner in his 1.2 scoreless frames while picking up two strikeouts. It’s important to note that Florida didn’t have to use their closer Jake Clemente in the contest, which leaves him available for a critical game vs Ole Miss tomorrow, one that very well may decide if Florida hosts a regional or not.
It was an all-around team effort on Tuesday night, something that will need to continue with all the injuries Florida is currently going through.