The Gators finished the 2025 regular season on a high note, defeating No.18 Alabama 9-3 in Saturday’s rubber match. No.23 Florida improved to 37-19 (15-15 SEC), an incredible turnaround after starting 1-11 in conference play. O’Sullivan’s squad has won six straight SEC series, opening the door for a potential Regional host in the NCAA Tournament. Florida is set to become the first SEC team since the league expanded in 1992 to make the NCAA Tournament after starting 2-10 or worse in league play.
Boser, Donay power Florida to early lead
Florida got off to a fast start with a leadoff home run from Bobby Boser, a senior who delivered on Senior Day in front of friends and family. Three batters later, junior catcher Brody Donay blasted his team leading 16th home run of the season to right center to give Florida a 2-0 lead.
“I think it set the zone pretty well,” Boser said postgame. “Whenever you leadoff with a homer in any game I feel like it’s pretty special, but to be able to do it on this day, it’s ultra special.”
Aidan King shines
Freshman right-handed pitcher Aidan King doesn’t look, act, or pitch anything like a freshman. While navigating through three costly defensive errors, King remained poised and in control, tossing 6.1 innings of one earned run ball while allowing six hits. King had his command on display once again, walking just two batters in his outing, one of which was intentional. The Jacksonville native struck out eight batters.
“Truly remarkable,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said on King’s start. “He’s shown time and time again that he’s beyond his years with his maturity, focus, and all those types of things.”
Luke McNeillie shuts the door
Florida didn’t want to turn to closer Jake Clemente in this game with the SEC Tournament starting on Tuesday. The Gators have leaned on Clemente a ton this year and wanted to give him some rest before the team travels to Hoover. After throwing 50 pitches on Thursday, RHP Luke McNeillie came in and slammed the door shut, throwing 2.2 near perfect innings of relief, allowing no hits and one walk. While McNeillie only logged one strikeout, he was as efficient and effective as he’s been all season, tossing just 25 pitches throughout the final eight outs.
Ty Evans homers on Senior Day
It wasn’t that long ago when Ty Evans wasn’t in the lineup. After a flurry of injuries, Evans is hitting in the three-hole. On Senior Day, Evans blasted a solo home run in the third inning to give Florida a 3-0 lead. Evans later singled to mark his third multi hit game of the series. The Auburndale, Florida native has had a unique journey at Florida. From setting College World Records, season ending injuries, and seeing the bench midway through his senior season, Evans has seen it all. Today’s moment was simply special, not just for Evans, but the people around him.
“I think if you ask the team, they’d consider Evans to be one of main leaders on the team. There would be no hesitation,” O’Sullivan said on Evans.
Everyone steps up
In order to win with this many injuries, you need guys to step up. Everyone in the lineup had a hit today while seven of the nine batters scored at least one run. It’s extremely encouraging seeing production up and down the lineup as this Florida teams moves into postseason play. Everyone within the Florida program is capable of producing, they’ll just need a bunch of guys to get hot at the same time.
Defensive mishapsÂ
The injuries have mounted this season, and it doesn’t just hurt the offense, but the defense too. Florida is having to play several guys out of position in order to field a team while keeping the best bats in the lineup. The Gators committed four errors in game three, bringing their weekend total to nine. Florida struggled to make the routine plays; even the ones they made didn’t look easy or comfortable. If Colby Shelton and Justin Nadeau return, Florida’s infield should go back to normal. It wasn’t long ago Florida was a top 10 defense in the country, but they certainly didn’t look like one this weekend.
Up next
Florida will play South Carolina in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Tuesday. The Gators are the 10 seed in the tournament.