UF baseball coach Kevin O'Sullivan participated in his first Southeastern Conference teleconference on Tuesday morning, answering questions about the Gators' upcoming series with Auburn, his pitching staff and comparing the SEC with the Atlantic Coast Conference.
The Gators' biggest issue heading into the weekend is the pitching rotation. One starting spot for weekend series is still up in the air.
"Patrick Keating and Tommy Toledo have solidified two of those spots," O'Sullivan said. "But I think the other spot is a little open right now between Billy Bullock, Stephen Locke and Kyle Mullaney."
Bullock pitched the first game of a Saturday doubleheader against Brown, giving up five runs (three earned) and striking out five batters in six innings of work. UF lost that game 11-2, and the loss went to Bullock.
"I don't think he pitched terrible," O'Sullivan said of Bullock. "He's certainly capable. … We only have 11 healthy arms, and he's one of the more talented guys, and he has SEC experience. He's going to have to be consistent and throw the ball well."
UF will start Stephen Locke tonight against Florida Gulf Coast, so he will not be in the mix for a starting spot this weekend. But O'Sullivan said he could still be in the running for future weekends.
Mullaney started the first two Fridays of the season but lost the job after two subpar outings.
O'Sullivan said he could get back to a weekend job if he pitches well.
O'Sullivan also spoke about the role of the freshman on the team, especially Josh Adams and Toledo.
"(Toledo) has responded well in two tough situations, and Josh Adams you can't say enough about him," O'Sullivan said. "He's played center field, right field, left field, he's played some second, he's played some third…so he's played every position but his natural position, which is shortstop."
Finally, O'Sullivan was asked about the differences between the SEC and the ACC, where he was a pitching coach last year at Clemson.
"I don't think there's any question that the SEC is stronger top to bottom," O'Sullivan said. "If you look at the teams that finish in the bottom half of the SEC, you're going, 'They're pretty good clubs.' … I know exactly what this league is all about, having been through it. Do I know it's going to be difficult? Absolutely."
