Only 16 teams get a chance to host an NCAA regional, so road play is crucial for a team's chance at a championship run.
JACKSONVILLE - When the rain clouds settled over the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, finalizing a 3-2 five-inning loss for UF at the hands of rival FSU, the Gators' recent propensity for slow starts became magnified as the last four innings were washed away.
JACKSONVILLE - The tying run was on second with one out and Daniel Pigott at the plate with a chance to win the game.
It's hard to say which causes a bigger swing in momentum: winning a rivalry game or losing a rivalry game with a rematch scheduled just two weeks later.
The Gators have a case of the hitting bug.
Junior center fielder Matt den Dekker had always been a do-it-all player in his first two seasons at UF, but coach Kevin O'Sullivan has managed to find new ways for the preseason All-American to make an impact on the team.
Almost two months after being kicked off UF's baseball team, Stephen Locke was officially allowed back on the team Tuesday.
With three players listed as catchers in the starting lineup, it's no surprise offense gave way to pitching and defense in UF's Tuesday night matchup with North Florida (9-15) in Jacksonville.
There were no guarantees the lead would hold for the Gators once they turned the ball over to the bullpen before last week.
Despite getting just 2 1/3 innings from preseason ace Patrick Keating, UF (14-7, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) was able to come from behind and record a 7-5 victory on Sunday in McKethan Stadium, completing the series sweep of Tennessee (9-12, 1-5 SEC).
Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.
ORLANDO - FSU may have been billed as the big midweek in-state rival for UF, but you would never know it from the crowd that turned out at Jay Bergman Field to watch Central Florida take on the Gators.
FSU's Tyler Holt yelled back at Buddy Munroe after running over UF's catcher to score the game-tying run in the top of the ninth. Munroe responded with his bat.
There's nothing like a rivalry game to wake up a reeling team.
Arkansas pitcher Jarrod McKinney isn't on the soccer team, but he showed some kicking ability Sunday.
If things continue to go poorly for UF in this weekend's three-game home series with Duquesne, it won't be because coach Kevin O'Sullivan has been unwilling to shake up the pitching staff.
Anthony DeSclafani headed to the dugout in the sixth inning after giving up his first hit of the night and could only watch as the bullpen gave the game away.
For someone who was projected to be the closer, Jeff Barfield turned in an impressive start.
Some lessons don't need to be stressed over and over again by a coach.
Any momentum UF had built up after a 5-0 start was swept away by Miami on Sunday afternoon.
Solutions by The State News
