Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan named right-handed pitcher Russell Sandefer Florida’s Game 1 starter against Rider ahead of the Gainesville Regional.
Sandefer, who has served as Florida’s Game 3/Sunday starter since March 29 against Arkansas, has posted a 3-2 record and a 4.38 ERA across 51.1 innings this season.
The junior’s last start came on Saturday, May 23 against Georgia in the SEC Tournament, when he exited in the second inning after taking a line drive off his forearm. Sandefer’s arm immediately swelled up, but X-rays later came back negative.
Despite the injury scare, Sandefer’s stuff looked as sharp as it has all season, as he sat 96-98 MPH with polished off-speed pitches. He also threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday without any issues.
“When I watched him pitch on Saturday, that was as good of an inning and a half as he’s thrown all year long. Stuff wise, command wise,” O’Sullivan said on Sandefer. “I watched his pen on Tuesday and he looked really crisp. I don’t think there’s anything that’s going to pitch him tomorrow afternoon.”
Historically, O’Sullivan has gone with his best available arm in the NCAA Tournament, but the last time Florida hosted a regional, the Gators started Game 3 starter Jac Caglianone in the opening game of the 2023 Gainesville Regional against Florida A&M. Florida appears set to handle things similarly in 2026.
The thought process is that Florida should be able to beat No. 4 seed Rider comfortably without using Aidan King or Liam Peterson, saving both for later in the tournament. In all likelihood, Sandefer will be the best arm Rider has faced all season.
There’s risk involved too. Losing Game 1 of a regional forces a team to win four straight games to advance and puts the pitching staff at a major disadvantage coming out of the losers bracket. Since 2013, only seven teams have advanced to the Super Regionals after losing their regional opener.
“He’s ready to go,” senior catcher Karson Bowen said on Sandefer. “He’s gonna pound the zone and do his thing like he always does…he’s excited to go back out there and build off what he was doing.”
Florida will face senior right-handed pitcher PJ Craig, who is coming off a heavy workload in the MAAC Tournament last week. Craig threw 104 pitches in a start on Thursday before tossing another 83 on Saturday. He owns a 3.39 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 40 walks across 95.2 innings pitched this season.
First pitch between Florida and Rider is set for 1 p.m. EST, while Miami and Troy will face off at 6 p.m. EST.