The Gators are set to clash with the Bulls for a pair of midweek games including their first road game of the 2023 season.
Florida kicks things off on Tuesday at 6:00pm in Tampa, before hosting USF in Gainesville at the same time on Wednesday.
HISTORY
The in-state schools most recently met at Condron Family Ballpark on May 3rd of last season, with Florida dismantling South Florida to the tune of an 18-3 home win.
The Gators are 63-27 all-time against the Bulls including a 19-15 mark on the road. That includes the Orange & Blue claiming road wins in four of the last five vs. USF. On their own turf, the Gators are 43-11 featuring an 18-4 record across the last 22 home matchups.
In the Kevin O’ Sullivan era, Florida is 24-4 against USF. The Gators have won 25 of the last 29 against the Bulls dating back to 2006.
The Gators held a 12-1 record in midweek games in 2022, with their only loss coming on the road against FSU.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
USF was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team American Athletic Conference.
The Bulls hosted No.13 Maryland in their 2023 opening series, dropping two of the three games against the Terrapins.
USF is batting .235 as a team and holds a 7.33 staff ERA, backed by a .992 fielding percentage on the young season.
In 2022, the Bulls finished 28-29 (8-16 American) including an 0-2 barbecue in the American Athletic Conference tournament. USF combined for a .263 batting average and an ERA of 5.82 a season ago.
PITCHTING MATCHUPS
TUESDAY 6:00 PM
Florida: LHP Cade Fisher
The true freshman made one appearance against Charleston Southern, retiring the Bucs in order on nine pitches in his lone inning pitched. Fisher notched his first career strikeout in the process.
The 6-4, 215-pound left-handed pitcher out of Dalton, Georgia ranked as the No. 12 LHP and No. 112 overall player nationally, while being the No. 1 pitcher and No. 12 player in Georgia.
Fisher holds Georgia’s state record for career ERA (0.71), while going 17-1 with 300 strikeouts in 157 1/3 innings.
USF: RHP Jack Cebert
The 6-2, 196 pounder made 22 appearances in 2022 including five starts as a true freshman. The right hander posted an ERA of 7.09 and 35 strikeouts across 39.1 innings a season ago.
This will be Cebert’s first appearance of 2023.
The Wednesday night pitchers have yet to be announced for either team.
I expect coach Sullivan to shake-up the lineups during these midweek games, especially early on in the season. Look for a ton of different arms out of the bullpen and different names at the plate against USF.
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