After managing just one hit against Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC Tournament, Florida baseball got back to business as usual and outscored the Arkansas Razorbacks, 7-5, on Friday. That sets up another loser-goes-home matchup with Alabama on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. EDT for the Gators.
Brandon Sproat, Brandon Neely and Nick Pogue have already pitched so the Gators are running thin on starting pitchers coming into the game. Garrett Milchin was an option, but Kevin O’Sullivan is going with freshman Anthony Ursitti on the bump Saturday. It’ll be the former Canterbury Cougar’s first start at the collegiate level after throwing 18 2/3 innings out of the bullpen over the regular season.
On offense, Sully’s switch-up of Jud Fabian and BT Riopelle in the lineup seems to be a winner. Fabian played longball for just the second time since hitting three out against USF on May 3, and Riopelle is just too hot to keep in the five-hole.
Colby Halter and Jac Caglianone have also been red-hot, with the latter driving in the first three runs of the day against Arkansas. Halter, of course, delivered the walk-off against South Carolina in round one and went deep on Friday.
If the bats don’t fall quiet as they did against Texas A&M, the Gators should be able to fight their way into the conference semifinals. That would be a huge boost to the résumé going into regional play regardless of the team’s finish in the SEC Tournament.
Projected Starting Lineup
Probable Starters
Team
Pitcher
Record
ERA
ALABAMA
TBA
TBA
TBA
FLORIDA
Anthony Ursitti
TBA
TBA
NOTES: The Gators could have gone with Garrett Milchin, but it looks like it will be Anthony Ursitti on the mound for his first collegiate start. He made a strong case for a start during the regular season, allowing just six runs over 18 2/3 innings while striking out 23 and walking seven. He’s never gone four innings though, surpassing two…
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