The Florida Gators picked up their first win of the 2024 season (1-1) following their 10-0 run rule victory over UNF after seven innings. Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan improves to 20-5 against UNF, which includes a 15-3 home mark and 5-2 record on the road.
Top of the order dominates
The first three hitters in Florida’s lineup batted a combined 8-11 (.727) at the plate while scoring 6 of the Gators’ 10 runs in the contest. Kurland, Caglianone, and Heyman combined for six RBI and an on base percentage of .800 against UNF.
Sophomore second baseman Cade Kurland found himself in the leadoff spot after hitting in the two-hole during Florida’s opening game against St. Johns. Kurland went 4-5 (.800) at the plate including a double to left field, which may have been his weakest hit of the night. Kurland scored four runs against UNF, which accounts for 40% of their runs scored in the contest. Kurland did exactly what you want your leadoff batter to do; get on base and score runs. I projected Kurland as the leadoff batter during the preseason and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t hold that spot for a long time.
Junior slugger Jac Caglianone got the Gators going in the top of the first inning with a two-run blast to right field, his first long ball of the 2024 season after launching an NCAA leading 33 home runs a season ago. After drawing a pair of walks, Caglianone doubled down the 1st base line in the top of the 5th, plating two and extending the Gators’ lead to 7-0.
Sophomore catcher Luke Heyman drove in a pair of runs in the contest on two RBI singles through the left side. Heyman also scored the Gators 10th and final run of the game.
Kurland, Caglianone, and Heyman all reached base on four of their five plate appearances.
Liam Peterson’s debut
Freshman RHP Liam Peterson made his highly anticipated Gators debut against UNF on Tuesday night, and it was nothing short of spectacular.
Peterson struck out seven Osprey batters in three innings of work while allowing just one hit and one walk across 37 pitches. His lone hit allowed was a high chopper to third base, which resulted in an infield single.
The 6’5 freshman continued his dominance from Florida’s preseason scrimmages, missing barrels while displaying great command and movement on all four of his pitches.
Peterson is scheduled to pitch on Saturday against Columbia inside Condron Ballpark.
Florida strikes out 14, allows two hits
It wasn’t just Peterson who was on his A-game Tuesday night. Florida’s pitching staff struck out 14 batters across seven innings on the mound, allowing just two hits in the contest. The Ospreys reached base just six times, drawing four walks against Gator pitching.
Junior RHP Fisher Jameson was the first call to the bullpen after Peterson’s exit. The 6’5 Lake Worth native tossed two scoreless frames while striking out three batters. Jameson walked two batters and struggled with his command at times, but a poor approach at the plate for UNF helped him generate plenty of swings and misses. Jameson didn’t allow a hit in his two innings pitched.
Redshirt freshman Jake Clemente was the next pitcher to toe the rubber, making his Gators debut after missing the 2023 season with a shoulder injury. Clemente struck out three of the four batters he faced, using his high heater to retire Osprey hitters with ease. The RHP walked the only batter he let on base.
Redshirt junior Blake Purell pitched the 7th inning for the Gators, recording a scoreless frame while allowing one hit. Purnell showed good command in his lone inning of work, which is a good sign for the Gators as the right-handed pitcher has struggled with his command over the course of his collegiate career. You can live with Purnell giving up singles, as he has the tendency to generate a ton of ground ball outs, which can result in double plays.
Takeaway
It’s hard to takeaway anything from an early season midweek game against UNF, but the Gators wanted to win this one and they did, easily. Kevin O’Sullivan is not known for throwing potential bullpen arms during the midweek slate, but with Florida’s next game three days away, the Gators were able to get plenty of work for their weekend bullpen arms, even starting their Saturday starter, Liam Peterson, against the Ospreys. This is important after Florida played just one game during opening weekend due to poor weather conditions in Gainesville. You can expect to see a similar approach on Wednesday, perhaps with more freshman pitchers.