One month into his senior season, things are looking good for Brandon McArthur.
The first baseman has started all 21 games UF played for the first time in his career. He is third on the team with 21 RBIs. The Gators are ranked for the first time all year.
And he's having a blast playing.
"The way we compete every day and as much knowledge as I've gained, it's unbelievable," McArthur said. "It's been a lot of fun, and it's been really exciting."
McArthur and the No. 24 Gators (17-4, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) hope to keep the good times rolling Tuesday and Wednesday night with a home-and-home series against Jacksonville University (13-7, 7-5 Atlantic Sun Conference). Tuesday's game is in Gainesville at 6:30 p.m.
McArthur's passion for the game is as high as it has ever been. He and other teammates woke up early before Sunday's game against then-No. 8 Mississippi to get some kinks out of their swings.
It certainly worked, as McArthur had three hits, an RBI and two runs, leading the Gators to a 10-2 victory.
The adjustment to first base - a position he never played in college before this season - was slow at first but is becoming complete.
Twice in the last week, McArthur started two uncommon double plays on ground balls hit right to him with a runner on first base. He tagged first base both times, then turned and threw to shortstop Cole Figueroa, who tagged lead runners for outs.
Both double plays got his pitchers out of jams.
"I'm getting more and more comfortable over there as time goes by," McArthur said.
The improvement and adjustment haven't gone unnoticed by his coach.
"You've got to remember now, this is his first year he's played full-time," UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "There's going to be times where you're going to have a few ups and downs, but overall I'm really pleased with the way he's been playing."
The downs for the season may already be over. McArthur slumped against Miami back in early March, going 0 for 12 in the series, and has been batting farther down in the order than his cleanup spot at the beginning of the year.
But even that doesn't matter to McArthur as much as winning.
"If there was any way I could help this team succeed and hopefully get back to … Omaha (Neb.), whatever it takes doesn't matter. Whether I hit ninth or first or fourth or fifth or sixth, it doesn't really matter."
UF will put freshman Travis Lawler (1-0, 5.59 ERA) on the mound against Jacksonville's Sean Green (1-0, 4.50) on Tuesday.
