UF BSB: Florida Treks to Missouri for Final Road Series

The Gators are 21-3 vs. Mizzou since the Tigers joined the SEC, including 15-straight wins entering this weekend.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Florida travels to Missouri for a three-game series at Taylor Stadium this weekend.

All three games of the series will stream on SEC Network+, beginning with Friday night’s opener at 7 p.m. ET. The remaining two matchups are scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

The road trip marks the Gators’ (30-18, 11-13 SEC) first visit to Columbia since the final weekend of the 2019 season, when Florida swept the Tigers (25-20, 7-17 SEC) from May 16-18 (5-4 / 2-0 / 4-3). Florida has picked up a series sweep in each of its last two trips to Missouri (2019, 2017), sporting series victories in three of four all-time visits to Columbia.

Florida has only ever lost one series to Missouri, dropping two out of three on the road in 2015. Across 30 all-time meetings, the Orange & Blue wield a 26-4 edge in the series and a 9-3 mark on the road. The Gators enter the weekend with 15-staight wins over the Tigers and are 21-3 in the series under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1445&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=NdCgKWBZzVA70vNqvpfqgiWlmtugjJmxMK6Zg_RK0Iw&e= >, including a 9-3 record on the road.

LAST TIME OUT
The Gators are coming off a 7-0 shutout victory over Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday, in which right-handed pitchers Tyler Nesbitt<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15101&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=lMtV9b8WBBfJJivOklMfPV7_uLD7AgkLGGMipBUznJQ&e= > (four innings), Nick Ficarrotta<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15094&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=mBYaD_7y_S8YOoRbPrMP0rUphiUIhB48AxAJGZZvUUI&e= > (four innings) and Blake Purnell<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15103&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=SQhG6qc7TjdY0IiF0zdMn9x-WHx4Vd7e8P3ZGj-WqEc&e= > (one innings) combined to five-hit the Wildcats while striking out 11. Last week, Florida posted a 4-0 record and a three-game series sweep at Mississippi State (8-6 / 9-3 / 6-2). It marked the Gators’ first road sweep since the last weekend of the 2019 regular season, when Florida swept Missouri in Columbia. It was also Florida’s first sweep of Mississippi State since April 17-19, 2015 in Starkville.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Picked to finish seventh in the East Division in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll, Missouri is 25-20 with a league-worst 7-17 record in conference play. The Tigers are batting .285 as a team and have pitched to a 5.56 ERA backed by a .976 fielding percentage.

COMING IN HOT
Florida is on a five-game winning streak, during which the Gators are batting .302/.434/.581 as a team with a 2.20 ERA and .222 batting average against. Opponents are hitting .222/.294/.269 in that stretch with a 9.63 ERA and .302 BAA. Florida is outscoring opponents, 48-14, in the last five games, collecting 24 extra-base hits while allowing just six.

WHO’S SIZZLING
During Florida’s five-game streak, three players are batting above .400: outfielder Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=-CRiDOwIWvK0OGFOui-kqbAEJK05m5bWozh5uiYKDXw&e= > (.579/.667/1.053), outfielder/infielder Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15108&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=sGJIwT6skIv2VxSRDWL3vbhk_OIfjSUPiOYgTZ-ZPwk&e= > (.533/.680/.800) and catcher BT Riopelle<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15114&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=J1oz_LWkYBuHMhJVVlvsAq9RVomLnch1Gqa-dg7AHjo&e= > (.421/.455/.895). That trio has combined for 12 extra-base hits, five home runs and 23 RBI in that span. Meanwhile, freshman outfielder Ty Evans<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15111&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=1mWu_QaQxgWH7TNl0L5T4gX39ldgSjnUB_emZ6bffqc&e= > is slashing .385/.467/.923 with two home runs, one double and four RBI.

SHAKING IT UP
Ever since the Florida lineup was shuffled for game one vs. Kentucky on April 29, Langford (first), Thompson (second) and Riopelle (fourth) have flourished in their new spots in the order. All three players are batting over .350 and slugging over .640 in the eight games since the change: Langford (.467/.585/.933), Thompson (.462/.615/.769) and Riopelle (.355/.400/.645).

RIOPELLE RECOGNIZED
After batting .533/.556/1.133 with a team-high eight RBI last week, Riopelle was named the SEC Co-Player of the Week on Monday. Riopelle also tallied 17 total bases, two home runs, three doubles and four runs. In game one at Mississippi State on May 6, Riopelle went 4-for-4 with one home run and one double, setting career highs with four hits and six RBI.

BT PACES SEC CATCHERS
During the month of April, Riopelle led all SEC catchers with seven home runs, 22 RBI and a .672 slugging percentage. He is now batting .304/.368/.609 this year with 14 home runs, one triple, five doubles, 45 RBI, 27 runs, 13 walks and four steals. Riopelle paces all SEC catchers in slugging percentage, home runs and RBI.

PITCHING IN
A young Florida pitching staff may be peaking at the right time, as the Gators have a 2.20 ERA over the last five games with just 37 hits allowed in 45 innings, walking 16 and striking out 41 batters. In game two at Mississippi State on May 7, four freshmen – right-hander Brandon Neely<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15118&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=JBtB7ZXkxrJYpFkySsr-pCDXkDV4HuYWIG2LDqACP3Y&e= >, left-hander Philip Abner<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15126&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=_UQ9Ijf__rD84bMP_hZbAI2Gep4eRNheen7OR-m6dvU&e= >, right-hander Fisher Jameson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15120&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=s1n92cSmOmySNJ3_Xh3aS2tBhpi1yiPjiDvWy87yIJk&e= > and right-hander Ryan Slater<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15105&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=LW-xsgoQ0jD0Sn0I5_TSU3AWtVTxUzNoZC9JX10aka8&e= > – combined to hold the Bulldogs to three runs across nine innings of work to clinch the series. Florida’s 3.00 series ERA at Mississippi State was its third-lowest of any series this year and best mark since Week 3 at No. 22 Miami (2.42 ERA).

NOTE ON SPROAT
Sophomore* right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15106&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=ZjHj_3jWJUGvujLoz71Kva_Ac9YcC0loHf5Bh9iUyqg&e= > has gone 5 1/3-plus innings in six-straight starts and has thrown five-plus innings in nine of 12 starts this year while allowing three earned runs or less in eight of those outings. Across his last three starts vs. No. 1 Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi State, Sproat is 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA.

NEELY DEALIN’
Since joining the Florida starting rotation during the Arkansas series, Neely has made five starts and is 1-0 with a team-best 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, .148 BAA and 30 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched while allowing just 13 hits. Across 44 1/3 innings this year, opposing batters are hitting just .184 against Neely.

HOME RUN TRIO
2021 All-American outfielder Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15127&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=rc8b7ZsDa2wNNoiNpBd7_DL6ExRJhtCjyxwnPAM8pGU&e= > is tied for the SEC lead with 19 home runs while Langford owns 16 homers (T-fourth SEC, T-27th nation) and Riopelle has 14 homers (T-ninth SEC, T-53rd nation). Fabian, Langford and Riopelle’s 49 combined home runs are tied for the third-most of any trio in the nation behind only Old Dominion and Texas. Florida is one of four teams with three players with 14-plus homers alongside Old Dominion, Texas and Louisville.

THE FABIAN FILE
Fabian is tied for the SEC lead with 19 home runs (T-eighth nationally), ranks eighth in the SEC with a .647 slugging percentage, T-eighth with 49 runs, T-ninth with 110 total bases and T-ninth with 47 RBI. Fabian ranks second in the SEC with 50 walks (fourth nationally), drawing more free passes than strikeouts (47). Fabian’s strikeout rate is down 8.8% from last season’s mark of 29.4%, sitting at 20.6% in 2022. He is looking to become the second Gator ever to eclipse 20-plus home runs in consecutive seasons (Brad Wilkerson, 1997-98). There have only ever been seven 20-homer seasons at Florida and only five players have accomplished the feat, meaning Fabian would account for two of eight 20-homer seasons in Orange & Blue the next time he leaves the yard. Fabian currently sits on 51 career home runs, which ranks fourth all-time at Florida.

HISTORIC HOME RUN PACE
Florida is tied for eighth in the country with 88 home runs. The Gators hit their 71st home run in the 37th game of the season this year, matching the team’s total from all of last season’s 60 game schedule. Florida is on pace to hit 101 home runs in the regular season alone, which would mark the program’s third-highest total ever, as well as the most under O’Sullivan (2018 – 100).

LANGFORD LOCKED
Langford leads Florida in every slash category, as well as runs, hits and on-base plus slugging (1.126) with a .355/.437/.689 line. His 19 multi-hit games lead the team and his nine three-hit games are four more than the next-closest Gator: Thompson with five.

GOING STREAKING
Thompson is riding an 18-game on-base streak while Langford has reached in 10-straight games.

STATE OF THE DEFENSE
Florida ranks T-13th in the nation with a .979 fielding percentage, having committed 36 errors in 1,747 defensive chances. While starting all 48 games in left and center field, Langford and Fabian both own perfect 1.000 fielding percentages across a combined 187 chances. Riopelle has committed just two errors all season long while playing primarily behind the plate, producing a .994 fielding percentage over 348 chances.

SULLY WINS 600TH
With a 13-6 victory to clinch the series over Alabama on March 19, O’Sullivan won his 600th game as Florida head coach – on the same day Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_staff.aspx-3Fstaff-3D487&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=zJ3zL_acrIR17klrSa-mf0MW_aHKLfwRyjlpj5ejOnA&e= > accomplished the feat. 2022 represents O’Sullivan’s 15th season as the head coach at Florida. During that time, O’Sullivan owns a 615-296 (.675) record, passing the legendary Dave Fuller (556-354-6) for the most wins in program history on March 9, 2021. O’Sullivan’s .675 winning percentage ranks third among all active Division I head coaches.

DRAFT BUZZ
After being selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, Fabian is again projected as Florida’s top prospect by MLB Pipeline, coming in as the No. 45 overall prospect for the 2022 MLB Draft. Left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15091&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=1qqAe-WEqiqAPjrWA0TI8KpaIK1CPhJbTxpMhSWd4eA&e= > follows closely behind at No. 54, while Thompson (No. 90) and Sproat (No. 98) fell just inside the top 100. The Gators’ middle infield duo of Colby Halter<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15096&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=8_3T8ZUYqiVRoB6qzztUuVZAh0ts1dhKIG5kkBNgv5I&e= > and Josh Rivera<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15104&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=nNt8fcuxLrP91ABJl2GjKSGl8jfrz2MFSYL2LivVAgs&e= > received draft buzz as well, with D1baseball ranking the former as the No. 60 college prospect and the latter sitting at No. 78. All six of the aforementioned players were ranked as top-30 prospects in the SEC by D1Baseball, in addition to right-hander Nick Pogue<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15102&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=YMOIxB4J7HwB0cDogXIrN6k7xDvdQ8Zv_lhXbCLhdlpsNIlpEb-OvNNie4szlse1&s=nVEWu_52FOpLmRmpRjmpMiKt3eORh5_vHpUXHpbaJmM&e= >, who was tabbed the conference’s No. 50 prospect.

Recently updated on April 27, Florida placed five players on Baseball America’s top-200 draft prospects list: Fabian (No. 34), Barco (No. 39), Thompson (No. 52), Sproat (No. 123) and Halter (No. 200).

ON DECK
Florida returns home to close out the final four games of the 2022 regular season at Condron Family Ballpark. The Gators host in-state rival Florida State on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. on SEC Network, before welcoming South Carolina to town for a three-game series spanning from Thursday, May 19 to Saturday, May 21. Saturday’s season finale is Senior Day. All three game against the Gamecocks will stream on SEC Network+.

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