It’s been a revolving door at third base for Florida this season, but coach Kevin O’Sullivan is ready to give one freshman a chance to lock it up.
“We’ve worked a couple different guys there,” O’Sullivan said. “But we’re starting to really like the fact that Zack Powers has quietly been OK over there. I think we’re getting to a point where we just need to play him.”
Powers is one of five Gators to start at least two games at third, but inconsistency — whether at the plate or in the field — has limited each player’s opportunities.
The lanky, 6-foot-3, 200-pound freshman will make his third straight start when No. 4 Florida (21-5, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) challenges Tennessee (19-6, 2-4 SEC) tonight at 7 in McKethan Stadium, where the Gators will look to rebound from their current rut of three losses in four games.
Much was made during the offseason about the strides Austin Maddox made toward becoming a solid defensive third baseman. However, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year has played just four games at the hot corner, and he hasn’t manned the position since the series opener against Miami on March 4.
Powers has started 12 games but is second on the club in errors and bats just .237.
“It’s one of those positions where a lot of guys are getting an opportunity to play over there, and it’d be nice if someone stepped up,” second baseman Josh Adams said.
In last weekend’s series loss to No. 3 South Carolina, O’Sullivan rolled out three straight lineups with a different third baseman.
Aside from Powers, junior college transfer Jeff Moyer, freshman Tyler Palmer and sophomore Cody Dent have all been in the mix. But none have done enough to warrant everyday playing time.
Moyer is the team’s best pinch-hitter, but he has struggled defensively. Palmer and Dent haven’t shown the requisite hitting ability.
Of the group, Powers has flashed the most potential with solid, yet vacillating, glove work.
The freshman has made several heads-up plays, including the first hidden ball trick earlier this season.
“We’re confident, whoever is over there, that they will get the job done,” Adams said.
But O’Sullivan said Powers has been the most consistent, and “he’s getting quality at-bats and plays really good defense.
“He is a freshman and will have his ups and downs, but I’m starting to think that, at this point in the season, if we can keep him in there consistently, he might be a really good player by the end of the year.”
Etc.: Hudson Randall (4-0, 0.66 ERA) is scheduled to start tonight’s opener, as Brian Johnson (4-1, 2.86 ERA) was bumped to Saturday to mix up the righty/lefty rotation. … After shuffling the lineup Tuesday, O’Sullivan hinted his original batting order could return because the Volunteers are throwing two left-handed starters this weekend. … O’Sullivan also confirmed that Alex Panteliodis is not suffering any lingering effects from last season’s hip injury and is slated to pitch some time during the Tennessee series.
