Even after Florida’s 4-1 win over Florida State on Tuesday — its ninth win in the past 10 games against the rival — Kevin O’Sullivan couldn’t help but reference UF’s most recent loss.
JACKSONVILLE — It should’ve been a sign.
Not much has come easy away from McKethan Stadium for the Gators.
Nelson Maldonado turned, took two steps and stopped. He’d seen this before, and he knew there was nothing he could do.
It started with a hard ground ball to LSU shortstop Kramer Robertson, who tried to throw out UF’s JJ Schwarz at first. It started when the throw beat him but pulled first baseman Jake Slaughter into Schwarz’s running lane, leading to a collision. It started when Slaughter dropped the ball, allowing Schwarz to tap first base safely.
Tyler Dyson stepped back from the mound to regroup.
It certainly won’t carry the hype that surrounded their football teams, but make no mistake: The Florida-LSU rivalry on the baseball diamond is alive and well.
When Yadier Molina was asked how much winning the World Baseball Classic meant to him, he didn’t hesitate.
Like Spongebob without water, JJ Schwarz needed it. He really, really needed it.
The Gators badly need to steamroll someone. Anyone.
Jonathan India didn’t even reach for the ball. Instead, he watched as it zipped past him, carrying the game with it.
All Jonathan India could do was react.
It wasn’t the start Alex Faedo envisioned.
Even if the offense doesn’t come around, Florida baseball will be just fine.
Mark Kolozsvary tried to hold himself from swinging, but it was too late.
Following FSU’s win over Florida in the 2016 NCAA Super Regionals, Seminoles manager Mike Martin proved to be prophetic.
It had been 756 days since Ryan Larson parked a ball outside McKethan Stadium.
In the midst of a near season-long slump, JJ Schwarz would’ve taken a hit anyway he could get one.
Austin Langworthy pulled his hands in.
Years ago, I remember chasing foul balls off the bat of Chris Duncan at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.
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