An early look at Florida Gators baseball heading into Miami series
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Florida baseball will get its first early challenge of the 2024 season when it travels to Miami on Friday to start a three-game series with the rival Hurricanes.
The Florida Gators (6-2) are coming off a 9-2 win over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday night. UF’s offense was powered by home runs from shortstop Colby Shelton (a three-run shot) and Tyler Shelnut (a solo blast), who went 3 for 4 with a double, homer and 2 RBIs.
Miami (5-3) is coming off a 12-10 extra inning loss to Florida Gulf Coast University. The Hurricanes have been led by third baseman Daniel Cuvet, who is batting .606 on the season with 5 homers and 15 RBIs.
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“Things are going to be more difficult,” Florida baseball coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “This weekend is going to be totally different than what we’ve played so far.”
Florida is 1-1 on the road so far this season, with the loss coming Tuesday night at Stetson (7-4).
Here’s an early look at how the Florida baseball team has performed through the first eight games this season, and whether hopes of another College World Series berth remain on the table.
UF baseball lineup remains deep and productive
Even with the loss of All-American outfielder Wyatt Langford and All-American shortstop Josh Rivera, UF’s lineup remains as deep and talented as last season. The Gators have socked 14 home runs and scored 75 runs through their first eight games, while batting at a .312 clip. Teams are pitching around star two-way slugger Jac Caglianone, who has seven walks on the season batting in the two-hole. Shelton (3 home runs, 7 RBIs), a transfer from Alabama, has been a nice addition to the middle of the lineup while Shelnut (3 HRs, 12 RBIs) appears to be blossoming into his true power potential in his second season at UF. Second baseman Cade Kurland (.444 on base percentage, 8 runs scored) was a strong table setter at the top of the lineup before going down with a finger injury after being hit by a pitch during the Columbia series last weekend. Florida is hopeful to have Kurland back this weekend.
UF baseball pitching has been inconsistent
Florida’s starting pitching faltered in each of its two losses. Against St. John’s, lefty Cade Fisher allowed 6 runs (5 earned) over two innings. Against Stetson, freshman righty Luke McNeillie failed to get out of the first inning, allowing 5 ER and 0.2 IP.
As a team, UF’s earned-run average is at 4.43, with a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.41. Two of UF’s best pitchers in the early going have been freshmen — righty Liam Peterson (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 13K and 7 IP) and righty Alex Philpott (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 12K in 9.2 IP).
Fisher (1-1, 9.00 ERA) will get another chance to show he’s capable of handling the Friday night starting role against the Hurricanes,
UF baseball defense has been solid
Florida has committed just two errors through its first eight games for a fielding percentage of .992. Shelton has shown good enough range at shortstop, while sophomore Luke Heyman has been solid behind the plate. Center fielder Michael Robertson continues to cover plenty of ground.
Overall conclusion
Florida can mash its way to a CWS for a second straight year, but ultimately will need more consistent pitching performances from starters and pitchers coming out of the pen to make dreams of returning to Omaha a reality.
