No. 13 Florida baseball stumbled out of the gate Friday night, falling 9–7 to UAB in its season opener at Condron Family Ballpark.
UF pitchers combined for 10 free passes (8 walks, 2 HBP), allowing nine runs (seven earned) on just six hits. The Gators recorded 10 hits including three for extra bases, but a midgame cold stretch prevented Florida from mounting sustained pressure on the Blazers.
Florida’s defense and baserunning left much to be desired, committing three errors in the field and running itself into two inning ending outs on the bases.
“I just told them, ‘Guys, we’re a good baseball team, it sucks to lose opening night, it sucks to lose anytime. The fact that we dropped the opener, that’s no fun, but we have some things we have to clean up. I think we had eight walks tonight and we had three errors. That’s not a recipe for winning baseball. Free passes and errors is not going to do a lot for you to win baseball games.’,” associate head coach Tom Slater said postgame.
“So we talked about that. I told them I believe in them, I told we’re a really good baseball team, and as much as it stunk to lose tonight, come out tomorrow and win two games.”
Liam Peterson’s rough start
Junior right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson didn’t live up to his lofty expectations in the season opener, allowing five runs, four earned, three hits, and five walks in 3.1 innings pitched.
Peterson struggled to find the zone or generate swing and miss, recording only three strikeouts in 19 batters faced. UAB strung together some good at bats in the first inning, grabbing momentum early.
“That’s not the Liam we expect to see or the Liam we usually see,” Slater said postgame. “He’s been outstanding all preseason. He wasn’t as crisp tonight, but we know that he’ll bounce back his next outing, and we’ll see the Liam we’re used to seeing.”
Peterson has a chance to bounce back next Friday vs. Kennesaw State.
Ricky Reeth delivers out of the bullpen
One of the few bright spots on the mound was RHP Ricky Reeth, who calmed the storm after Peterson’s exit with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.
Reeth allowed one hit and hit two batters while striking out two. The Notre Dame transfer was efficient, tossing just 37 pitches in 13 batters faced.
“Ricky, hell of a job tonight. He kept us right there, gave us a chance to battle back a couple different times. What a performance by him. He did a hell of a job.
Final thoughts
Opening day losses sting, but baseball is a very long season. In 2024, Florida lost its season opener to St. John’s and still finished as one of four teams standing in the College World Series. In 2025, Florida started 10-0 in non-conference play and didn’t sniff the College World Series.
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Florida plays a double header due to the weather concerns, which is going to strain both teams pitching staffs. The Gators used four pitchers tonight, (Peterson, Reeth, Sandefer, Barberi), all of which are likely off the card tomorrow. Sandefer only threw 11 pitches but appeared to leave due to injury.
Florida will need some younger arms to step up and deliver key innings in an 18-inning day.