Florida has produced a Freshman All-American in three out of the last four seasons.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida second baseman Cade Kurland<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-kurland/15514> has been named a 2023 Freshman All-American, as announced by Collegiate Baseball on Wednesday morning.
With the announcement, Kurland becomes the 48th Freshman All-American in program history and the team’s second in as many years after Blake Purnell<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-purnell/15502> collected honors from Collegiate Baseball one season ago. Kurland is the 23rd Freshman All-American (combining for 44 honors) under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/kevin-o-sullivan/1551>.
Florida has produced a Freshman All-American in three out of the last four seasons: Purnell in 2022; Hunter Barco<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/hunter-barco/15091>, Nathan Hickey and Tyler Nesbitt<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-nesbitt/15500> in 2020.
Having recently been named First Team All-SEC, Kurland has swatted more home runs (16) than any UF second baseman in program history. The Tampa, Fla. native is slashing .303/.414/.583 while starting 59 games for the Gators, totaling 16 doubles, 68 runs, 46 RBI, 24 walks, 20 HBP and four stolen bases.
In his debut season in Gainesville, Kurland has racked up 22 multi-hit games and 13 multi-RBI performances.
Kurland and the Gators continue their postseason run this weekend with a Super Regional matchup against No. 15-national seed South Carolina at Condron Family Ballpark.
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