Florida baseball faces elimination against Nebraska at NCAA Tournament

It was the middle of Nebraska’s lineup that got to Florida on Friday. The Nos. 2-4 hitters all reached safely, and left fielder Gabe Swansen drove in both of the Husker’s runs on a double and homer. A pair of hits from the No. 9 hitter Rhett Stokes deserves mention.

Liam Peterson did a good job working out of any pressure situations he found himself in on Friday, but that might not be the case for whoever throws for UF on Sunday. There’s a growing confidence throughout this Huskers lineup, one that could bring Florida’s season to an end if prepared for improperly.

Catcher Josh Caron is among the best backstops in the Big Ten, despite the All-Conference snub he received at the end of the season. He’s slashing .322/.399/.608 and showed out at the conference tournament, setting event records with six home runs and 28 total bases. What makes him a future pro, though, is his ability to work thoughtfully with the pitching staff.

Behind Caron, right fielder Case Sanderson (.905) is the next closest thing to a lineup regular with a .900-or-better OPS. First baseman Ben Columbus (.933) has also done damage in the middle of the lineup lately, but he’s only played in 38 of the team’s 59 games.

Center fielder Riley Silva is going to swipe a bag or two during this regional. He has 31 on the year and has only been caught three times. Leadoff man Josh Overbeek is also prone to running (16 steals, 3 caught stealing), as is second baseman Cayden Brumbaugh (13, 3).