UF BSB: Dayton Series Up Next for No. 10 Florida

The Gators take a 4-0 record into their first-ever meeting with Dayton (2-2).

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Baseball resumes at Condron Family Ballpark this weekend as No. 10 Florida welcomes Dayton for a three-game series from Feb. 21-23.

All three matchups will air on SEC Network+, beginning with Friday night’s 6:30 p.m. opener. Game two is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a Sunday finale at 12 p.m.

After sweeping Air Force at home and defeating Jacksonville on the road, Florida (4-0) shifts its focus to the program’s first meeting against Dayton (2-2) of the Atlantic 10 Conference. With a victory on Friday night, the Gators would improve to 5-0 to start the season for the first time since 2020 (16-0). History will be on Florida’s side, as the Gators wield a 36-0 all-time record vs. Atlantic 10 teams (31-0 vs. teams currently in A10). That includes 12-0 (9-0) under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/kevin-o-sullivan/1999>.

Pitching Matchups
Friday | 6:30 ET (SECN+) Saturday | 4 ET (SECN+) Sunday | 12 ET (SECN+)
Dayton RHP Chris Peguero (0-1, 1.80 ERA) RHP Peyton Malecha (0-0, 4.50 ERA) TBD
Florida RHP Liam Peterson<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/liam-peterson/17332> (1-0, 0.00 ERA) RHP Jake Clemente<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jake-clemente/17322> (1-0, 3.00 ERA) LHP Pierce Coppola<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/pierce-coppola/17323> (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Links WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/8bbc57ad-9a7b-4335-b863-206af9678e57> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/watch/?Live=5595&type=Live> WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/291e332a-872a-4612-b3c1-2d373ad032fa> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5596> WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/2ff021dd-4726-487c-810d-aedfbfb03b19> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5597>

CHECKING OUR POLLS
Florida remained at No. 10 in the D1Baseball Top 25 after its sweep of Air Force. The Gators are a unanimous top-11 team and are ranked as highly as No. 6 in the country per Baseball America.

SERIES PROMOS
On Friday night, the first 500 UF student through the gates will receive Florida baseball sweatshirts. For Sunday’s finale, the first 1,000 fans get Florida baseball berm blankets.

FOOD TRUCKS
There will be two food trucks located in the Dizney Grove area beyond the outfield wall on each day of the weekend series.

Friday: Kona Ice, Mayflower Food Truck
Saturday: The Smoked Biscuit, Chef JJ Creations
Sunday: Tough Guy Cookies, Ferley’s BBQ

SCOUTING THE FLYERS
The Dayton Flyers are 2-2 to start the 2025 season, losing a doubleheader to Monmouth and sweeping a twin bill against Western Michigan at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. The Flyers finished 33-22 last year, slashing .298/.413/.474 with a team ERA of 6.06 in 481 1/3 innings pitched.

Dayton is led by Friday night starter Chris Peguero, who recorded the most innings pitched and strikeouts of any returning Flyers pitcher, in addition to senior infielder Mason Dobie, the only returning Flyer to start every game in 2024. Head Coach Scott Loiseau embarks on his first season with UD.

SULLY SUPERLATIVES
Coming off the program’s 14th trip to the College World Series and second in as many seasons, O’Sullivan enters his 18th season. Since O’Sullivan’s 2008 arrival, Florida leads the sport with 290 SEC wins, 37 MLB debuts, 16 NCAA berths (T-1st), 10 top-eight seeds, nine College World Series trips, nine Super Regionals hosted and six SEC titles. The Gators have advanced to nine of the last 14 College World Series overall.

NATIONAL RANKINGS
Through three games, Florida is ranked in the top-20 teams nationally in nine statistical categories, headlined by a nation-leading 16.1 K/9. Florida also ranks third in WHIP (0.68), third in K-to-BB ratio (8.71), fourth in hits allowed per nine (4.24), sixth in stolen bases (16), ninth in ERA (1.32), t-10th in shutouts (one), 17th in home runs (eight) and 19th in batting average (.365). The Gators lead the SEC in K/9 and steals while ranking inside the top four in K-to-BB ratio (second), WHIP (third), H/9 (third), home runs (third) and batting average (fourth).

DONAY HOMERS IN FOUR STRAIGHT
Donay is the only player in program history to homer in each of the first four games of the season. The junior slugger has homered and logged multiple hits in every game thus far, boasting a .643/.706/1.714 slash line. Donay is tied for the nation lead in homers and leads the country with 24 total bases. Fresh off his first-career SEC Player of the Week honor, he also leads the SEC in batting, on-base percentage, slugging and hits.

KINGS OF THE HILL
Florida pitchers have combined for a 1.32 ERA, .137 batting average against and 61-to-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 34 innings (16 H, 7 BB) through four games. Florida’s weekend rotation of Peterson, Clemente and Coppola have teamed up for 31 strikeouts against two walks in 17 innings, allowing just six hits, two walks and two earned runs for a 1.06 ERA. Florida’s 12 pitching appearances have been made by 10 different hurlers, with all 12 outings featuring a strikeout and all but one having multiple.

HITS PARADE
The Gators have swatted at least 11 hits in all four games this season. On Tuesday at JU, all nine starters collected at least one hit. Five qualified UF hitters are batting over .300 entering the Dayton series, in addition to three unqualified players in utilityman Justin Nadeau<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/justin-nadeau/17342> (6-for-7), outfielder Kyle Jones<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/kyle-jones/17345> (2-for-4) and infielder Landon Stripling<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/landon-stripling/17351> (2-for-6).

TOR-NADEAU
Making his UF debut in the series finale vs. Air Force, Nadeau went 3-for-4 with one double and three RBI. Returning to the place he played his freshman and sophomore seasons on Tuesday at JU, Nadeau roped singles in his first three at bats back in John Sessions Stadium. Finishing 3-for-3 and reaching in all five plate appearances, Nadeau is now 6-for-7 (.857/.889/1.000) to start his UF career.

ACE PETERSON
In Peterson’s six shutout innings on Opening Night, he recorded his first nine strikeouts against all nine starters in the Air Force lineup. Peterson’s 11 strikeouts are tied for the most by a Gator on Opening Night this century (Hunter Barco, 11, 2022 vs. Liberty).

CAREER PERFORMANCES
All three members of UF’s starting rotation set a new career high in strikeouts on Opening Weekend: Peterson with 11, Clemente at 8 and Coppola with 12. It was the first time eclipsing double-digit strikeouts for both Peterson and Coppola. Coppola’s 12 strikeouts were the most by a UF hurler since Hurston Waldrep’s 12 vs. Oral Roberts at the 2023 College World Series.

PITCHERS DEDICATED TO QUALITY
Florida starting pitchers Peterson (W, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K) and Clemente (W, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) tossed back-to-back quality starts to open the 2025 season. Last year, the Gators had five quality starts all season across 66 games. Coppola was one inning shy of making it three in a row, as he fired five shutout innings in the series finale.

WHOLE LOTTA COPPOLA
Following his five-inning, 12-strikeout performance vs. Air Force, Coppola has now won the first two games of his career in back-to-back starts dating back to last season after not recording a win in his first eight collegiate starts. Coppola has struck out 21 batters in 10 innings across his last two starts, which includes a win over No. 2 Kentucky at the 2024 College World Series.

THE BULLBOSER
Transferring in from USF, infielder Bobby Boser<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/bobby-boser/17349> has quickly made a strong impression. He has collected a hit and driven in a run in all four games backed by three multi-hit efforts. After blasting a three-run homer for the game-winning RBI at JU, Boser is 7-for-17 (.412/.474/.824) with two home runs, one double, two steals and a team-high seven RBI.

RUNNING WILD
Florida swiped 14 bases in 15 attempts in the season-opening sweep against Air Force and is now up to 16 on the season. After just four games, the Gators are 37.2% of the way to reaching their 2024 steals total (43). The nine stolen bases in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader were the most for the Gators in 15 years – since March 9, 2010 vs. Illinois State. The 14 steals marked the most in a series for Florida in the last nine seasons. Leading the way was outfielder Hayden Yost<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/hayden-yost/17337>, whose three steals in Saturday’s first game were the most by a Gator baserunner since Sterlin Thompson recorded three against Tennessee on April 24, 2022.

ON-POINT PEN
The UF bullpen has been dominant through the first four games of the season. Gators right-handed relievers Luke McNeillie<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/luke-mcneillie/17330>, Alex Philpott<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/alex-philpott/17333>, Caden McDonald<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/caden-mcdonald/17329>, Jackson Barberi<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jackson-barberi/17354>, Matthew Jenkins<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/matthew-jenkins/17361>, and Aidan King<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/aidan-king/17366> have all made appearances. They have pitched a combined 14.0 innings with a 1.93 ERA, struck out 26 and allowed just two free passes. The latter four hurlers all made their Division I debuts last weekend against Air Force, combining for five innings and only giving up one run with ten strikeouts. All four Gators struck out multiple hitters in their debuts while McDonald and King each sat down three Falcons batters.

HAY DAY
Coming off an ACL injury suffered towards the end of his freshman campaign, Yost is an early standout in a crowded Florida Gators outfield. Through four games, he is slashing .500/.563/.714 with five RBI and a team-best four stolen bases.

MCNEILLIE MAGIC
As one of two Gators to make two appearances this year alongside King, McNeillie tied his career high with six strikeouts vs. Air Force on Feb. 15 before resetting a new best with seven against Jacksonville on Feb. 18. The sophomore righty threw three relief innings of one-run ball in both appearances, earning a save in the former and the victory in the latter.

PITCHERS ASSIST ALL 21 OUTS
In the series finale against Air Force, all 21 outs of the 11-1 mercy-rule win were recorded or assisted by Florida pitchers. UF pitchers recorded 17 strikeouts, with the other four outs coming via groundouts to the pitcher. Coppola led the way with a career-high 12 strikeouts and three infield assists in five scoreless innings.

STRIP-STRIPED
Stripling shined in his UF debut in game two vs. Air Force. After hitting four long balls last season at Texas Tech, Stripling homered in his first at bat as a Gator – becoming the first UF player to do so since Rene Lastres vs. Georgia State on Feb. 26, 2022. Stripling also singled and scored twice.

PHILLY SPECIAL
Making his 2025 debut, Philpott pitched a clean ninth inning at JU on Feb. 18 and struck out two. Philpott started off his Gators career in dominant fashion last year, posting four-straight scoreless appearances in which he recorded 12 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings pitched. Philpott also received valuable postseason experience, pitching two scoreless innings against Kentucky in the College World Series.

FANTASTIC FOUR
Four Gators tested the waters of the 2024 MLB Draft but ultimately elected to return to the Orange & Blue in pursuit of a National Championship: Shelton, Evans, Heyman and Coppola. The latter three members of the quartet have experienced Omaha each of the last two seasons while Shelton made his College World Series debut one year ago.

THUNDER ONE THRU NINE
Florida boasts 10 position players that posted an .800-plus OPS and slugged over .450 at the Division I level last season. Of the 12 UF hitters to have started a game, all 12 posted an OPS above .750 one year ago. With five positional starters back and Boser, outfielder Blake Cyr<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-cyr/17347> and Jones projected to start as well, the UF lineup will be composed of eight returning DI starters that had an OPS over .800 in the 2024 campaign.

INITIATING TRANSFER
Florida brought in nine transfers during the offseason, featuring projected starters in Boser (USF), Cyr (Miami) and Jones (Stetson), the latter of which was a Freshman All-American for the Hatters last year. Nadeau (Jacksonville) and Stripling (Texas Tech) bolster the stellar positional class while right-handed pitcher Billy Barlow<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/billy-barlow/17355> (Clemson) and Jenkins (Santa Fe College) project as the top contributors on the mound.

RELENTLESS REPTILES
Florida has already secured two come-from-behind victories in its 4-0 start. Last season, the Gators delivered 21 wins in comeback fashion, featuring 12 of the team’s 13 SEC victories. Florida trailed in six of its 2024 postseason wins and claimed five-straight NCAA Tournament elimination games to keep its season alive. Going back two seasons, 22 of the 2023 Gators’ program-record 54 victories came via comebacks.

PARKING/SHUTTLES
Fans are encouraged to park at the Fifield and IFAS lots during the weekend. An increased number of shuttles will be available for transportation to the ballpark each day. No parking is permitted anywhere on the grass, sidewalks, or along streets. Doing so runs the risk of receiving a parking citation.

* General Parking is available in the west Condron Family Ballpark baseball lot, the small lot in front of the Donald R. Dizney Stadium and the Fifield Hall parking lot located directly across Hull Road.
* Addition parking is available at:
* Cultural Plaza Garage
* UF Facilities Services lot off Radio Rd
* Maguire Village Lot off Bledsoe Dr
* Disabled parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Condron Family Ballpark west lot with a valid Disabled Placard.
* Fans can follow this link<http://floridagators.com/EventParking> to an interactive parking map.
* RV Parking is available in the Fifield Flat lot. Reserved RV parking is not available for Florida baseball games. All motor home parking is on a first come, first-served basis.
* On-board generators are permitted, however exterior or pull-along generators are prohibited at all times. For safety reasons, all motor homes/RVs are required to utilize exhaust extensions or “smoke stacks” to channel exhaust fumes to the top of the motor home/RV.
* Overnight stays are only allowed on weekend series in the Fifield Flat lot.
* Do Not Park Illegally
* No parking on grass, sidewalks, or along streets. Doing so runs the risk of receiving a parking citation.
* Park in designated parking spots (Do not park on grass or in No Parking Zones).
* Vehicles are subject to towing if they block streets, sidewalks, service drives, or fire lanes, or if illegally parked in a disabled space.

TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/en/buy/virtual-venue/QlMyNQ==?utm_source=WEB&utm_medium=STORY&utm_campaign=BASE-SEASON&camefrom=CFC_GATORS_WEB_STORY_BASE-SEASON> and SEC Five-Pack Mini-Plans<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/en/buy/flexplan/10312?utm_source=WEB&utm_medium=STORY&utm_campaign=BASE-MINI&camefrom=CFC_GATORS_WEB_STORY_BASE-MINI> are currently on sale now in addition to single-game tickets<https://www.ticketmaster.com/florida-gators-baseball-tickets/artist/1294070>. Tickets can be purchased online<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_tickets_baseball_.aspx> or by contacting the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683.

MOBILE TICKETING & FLORIDA GATORS APP
As a reminder, mobile ticketing is required. There will be two ways to access your tickets:
1) through the Florida Gators app<http://s1445136311.t.en25.com/e/er?s=1445136311&lid=1301&elqTrackId=F42DAD870CD1B888DE14DCC3F8C8916F&elq=f69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42&elqaid=3046&elqat=1> from your mobile device or
2) through FloridaGators.com/myaccount<http://s1445136311.t.en25.com/e/er?s=1445136311&lid=1324&elqTrackId=E19038CB8FD63F3F29DC57131044A028&elq=f69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42&elqaid=3046&elqat=1>. Fans will also be able to transfer or donate their tickets easily within the app or online.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Condron Family Ballpark on game day should be aware of updated traffic patterns surrounding the ballpark. Fans are advised to utilize Ballpark Way, which will serve as a connecting route to the ballpark from Archer Road. For departures, a postgame traffic flow pattern guide can be found here.<https://floridagators.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=0&image_path=/images/2022/4/22/BB_Post_Game_Traffic_20220421.png>

ON DECK
Florida travels to Stetson on Tuesday (6:30 p.m. on ESPN+) before hosting North Florida on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+). The Miami Hurricanes then come to town for a three-game, weekend series from Feb. 28-March 2.

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