There's nothing like a rivalry game to wake up a reeling team.
UF (9-7) will host FSU (9-6) at 6:30 in McKethan Stadium tonight fresh off of suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of Arkansas over the weekend.
The Gators committed eight errors over the three losses and continued to get no help at all from the bullpen.
The Razorbacks were the Gators' first competition from the Southeastern Conference, but the Seminoles might present the toughest challenge thus far.
FSU came into the season after posting a 54-14 record a year ago that culminated in a College World Series berth.
Though there was a lot of turnover from that squad, such as the loss of 2008 Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year and No. 5 overall draft pick Buster Posey, the Seminoles lineup is just as formidable.
FSU sophomore Tyler Holt comes into today's game hitting .475, and the dynamic leadoff man leads the team in stolen bases (five) and doubles (10).
Third baseman Stuart Tapley, also a sophomore, has provided the most power for FSU. He comes in hitting .333 with a team-high four home runs and 15 RBI.
The Seminoles' Achilles heel has without a doubt been their pitching staff.
Every starter in the rotation has already suffered a loss, and their team ERA is a robust 5.40.
By comparison, UF's staff boasts a 3.89 ERA, and pitching hasn't exactly been a bright spot for the Gators.
Freshman Alex Panteliodis (2-2, 6.50 ERA) will take the hill for the Gators tonight, and the lefty struggled in his last outing against Arkansas. Panteliodis lasted just 1 1/3 innings after walking two batters and giving up 5 runs.
Freshman Brian Busch (0-1, 3.06) will get the start for FSU.
FSU leads the all-time series with UF 115-93-1, and the Seminoles took two of three from the Gators a year ago.
UF did, however, defend its home field and came away with a 6-1 victory in Gainesville before dropping the other two games in Jacksonville and Tallahassee by a combined score of 14-4.
