UF BSB: Gators Eye Up Weekend Series Against No. 1 Tennessee

Florida is 24-16 against the Vols under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan including a 10-5 record in weekend series.

GAME NOTES<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2022_4_21_4-5F22-5FTennessee.pdf&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=ptm5YALWhbE6mZju9fOqGAxmZzR1jQtoZwxmEKXuidM&e= >

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida welcomes No. 1 Tennessee to Gainesville for the first time since 2019 this upcoming weekend for a three-game series spanning from Friday, April 22 to Sunday, April 24.

All three installments in the series will stream on SEC Network+, beginning with Friday’s 6:30 p.m. ET tilt. Game two is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and the series wraps up on Sunday, with first pitch set for 12 p.m.

Across 244 meetings, Florida (23-14, 6-9 SEC) owns a commanding 154-90 lead in the all-time series against Tennessee (34-3, 14-1 SEC) including an 83-41 mark at home. 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=VWDlHTHpaC0oXRcC6yANWpJVinCnOpjxRn09Lt6YjXw&e= >, the Gators are 24-16 vs. the Vols with a 12-6 home record.

Florida has won four out of the last six series in Gainesville vs. Tennessee while claiming nine of the last 12 series overall, having won eight-straight series over the Vols from 2009-16. Florida and Tennessee met four total times last season, with the Gators dropping two of three in Knoxville (L, 4-6 / L, 4-5 / W, 7-6) before falling to the Vols in the SEC Tournament semifinals (L, 0-4).

SERIES GIVEAWAYS
On Friday, the first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive commemorative koozies. Students can also enter to win a black game jersey during the series premiere. Another opportunity for students to enter to win is set to take place on Saturday, with a bookstore gift card up for grabs in game two.

LAST TIME OUT
Florida has won two-straight games after picking up a 10-8 midweek victory over Stetson and winning the final game of the series at Vanderbilt this past Sunday. The Gators went 1-3 last week, dropping a Tuesday tilt at Florida State (L, 0-5) before losing two of three games at Vanderbilt (L, 4-5 / L, 6-8 / W, 4-2 [10]). In the finale at Vanderbilt, right-handed pitcher 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=ZgMv79UpIR7z_GaBvb9emJAgSaAvypsOFHt5tekRK7I&e= > fired 6 1/3 frames of one-run ball and third baseman Deric Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15119&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=3g9SS8D5WZ6uf9r8pky-rx6BGlF1fdI5HefJWF3AygE&e= > provided the go-ahead home run in the top of the 10th inning.

SCOUTING THE VOLUNTEERS
Picked to finish fourth in the Eastern Division in the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll, Tennessee is off to a program-best 34-3 start to the campaign with a 14-1 mark in conference play. Although the Volunteers dropped two-straight games last week (vs. Tennessee Tech, vs. Alabama) for the first time all season, they remain without a series loss in 2022. Tennessee is batting .317 as a team and wields a 2.09 staff ERA backed by a .980 fielding percentage.

HOT AT HOME
Florida is 42-10 across its last 52 regular season games at Florida Ballpark, including 27-7 in their last 34. In the inaugural 2021 season of Florida Ballpark, the Gators delivered a dominant 28-9 record at home. Florida closed out the regular season with eight-straight home series victories, going 27-4 at home in the team’s final 31 regular-season contests and losing just one game in the final 13 matchups in that span.

JUD PASSES ZUNINO
This past Tuesday vs. Stetson, 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=31aMgZQ2Lmvdtlwdb08Nio-xjEfuMGHQYkgqe7X4qfg&e= > launched his SEC-leading 16th home of the season with a two-run shot in the eighth inning. That big fly represented the 48th home run of his career, as Fabian passed Mike Zunino for fifth on Florida’s all-time home run list. Next on the list is JJ Schwarz, who sits in fourth at 50 homers.

SLUGGERS’ SHOWDOWN
This weekend’s series features two of the premier home run hitting teams in the country, as Tennessee leads the nation with 88 home runs and Florida ranks fifth with 71 homers. The Gators’ 71 home runs through 37 games matches their total from all of last season’s 60 game schedule. Florida is on pace to hit 105 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) and the team’s top total since 2002 (111).

HOME RUN TRIO
J. Fabian leads the SEC with 16 home runs (T-fourth nationally) while 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=EiUE-TONys0AOtQSWP0p04fQT9ZbmXOOIW-U9wGbpLw&e= > owns 13 homers (fourth SEC, T-24th nation) 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=-2ffK3U-QWtmxpApb53HmrGEween2iYHsVMfehBH_DA&e= > sports 12 homers (fifth SEC, T-35th nation). Fabian, Langford and Riopelle boast the second-most home runs (41) of any trio in the nation, second to only Old Dominion (46). Florida is one of 12 teams in the country with three players sporting double-digit homers and one of two teams with three 12-plus homer players.

MARCH ON, JUD
During the month of March, J. Fabian led the SEC in total bases (54), slugging percentage (.857), walks (22) and home runs (10).

NEELY DEALS
Making his second-career start on April 17 at Vanderbilt, Neely picked up his first-ever quality start with a career-high 6 1/3 IP and seven strikeouts while allowing just one earned run. Neely’s start marked the second time all season in which a Florida pitcher other than left-hander 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=muo44rfxsB8iVLDwWqO-v5viKTh1eXipPiKooxOrCHE&e= > recorded an out in the seventh inning, with the other instance being right-handed pitcher Brandon Sproat’s<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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=Nkw5XdU9QfP2kWxp61k-0B_t9RxKg9_MMi-G0M832zY&e= > March 5 start at No. 21 Miami.

SATURDAY SPROAT
Scheduled to start Saturday’s matchup, Sproat has gone 5 2/3-plus innings with seven or more strikeouts and 100-plus pitches thrown in three-straight starts, allowing three runs or less in two of those outings. After holding No. 23 Georgia to three earned runs over six innings on April 1 and firing 5 2/3 frames of one-run ball vs. No. 2 Arkansas on April 8, Sproat was tagged for six runs over 5 2/3 innings at Vanderbilt on April 16 – although he allowed just two runs through his first-five innings in that outing.

LANGFORD HITS APLENTY
With a team-high 14 multi-hit games this year, Langford has recorded multiple hits in six of Florida’s last nine games. During that span, he is batting .389/.410/.667 with 14 hits, three homers, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored.

GOING STREAKING
Entering Friday, shortstop 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=Qq2rn20vXtGNXXWwYYlwlZaICEvmYVp57TZ_aD3Umf8&e= > is pacing the team with an active 11-game on-base streak.

BT BOMBS
In game two at Vanderbilt on April 16, Riopelle homered in three-straight at bats in the second, fourth and seventh innings (first Gator to do so since JJ Schwarz vs. Stetson on April 7, 2015). As a result, he became the first Gator to notch a three-homer game since Wil Dalton accomplished the feat on March 2, 2018 vs. Stony Brook. Riopelle finished 3-for-4 with five RBI in the game after being intentionally walked in his final at bat of the night. Riopelle’s 12 home runs this season are tied for sixth in the nation among catchers.

2-TO-4 HAPPY HOUR
The trio of J. Fabian (second), outfielder 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=rhUUQAOOr58wNwaRYecuHExhEiK5VZGD4JEoaB3QqGQ&e= > (third) and Langford (fourth) has recorded an RBI in 32 of 37 games this year while picking up hits in 36 of 37 games. Those three hitters have batted two-three-four in Florida’s lineup in 36 of 37 games this year – in the only other instance, they batted one-two-three.

STATE OF THE DEFENSE
With 29 errors in 1,347 defensive chances, Florida ranks 21st nationally with a .978 fielding percentage.

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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=-KJFgX9jQGbVNPRqJcV-2Aqkiw5ZFugqxy6dQi78yAI&e= > accomplished the feat. 2022 represents O’Sullivan’s 15th season at Florida, during which he owns a 608-292 (.676) record, passing the legendary Dave Fuller (556-354-6) for the most wins in program history on March 9, 2021. O’Sullivan’s .676 winning percentage ranks third among all active Division I head coaches.

DRAFT BUZZ
After being selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, J. 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. Barco 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=bX5tPLheuc9n8fwfZBxW0QtwsNB8TkcA_Ig87ftm94Y&e= > and Rivera 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=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=Zm2bbmr3u4zUr55sNs70VK22BjX5_nq_XkX2PFgua1A&e= >, who was tabbed the conference’s No. 50 prospect.

Recently updated on March 14, Florida placed five players on Baseball America’s top-200 draft prospects list: Barco (No. 23), Fabian (No. 33), Thompson (No. 53), Sproat (No. 96) and Halter (No. 198).

BALLPARK OF THE YEAR
Opened in 2021, the state-of-the-art Florida Ballpark was named Ballpark Digest’s 2021 College Ballpark of the Year in December. Newly equipped with permanent outfield concessions and restrooms, Florida Ballpark features a 360-degree open concourse, shade structures for fans and high definition video and sound.

OPENING THE GATES
The gates of Florida Ballpark will open two hours and 15 minutes prior to first pitch for every home game.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Florida Ballpark on game day should be aware of updated traffic patterns surrounding the ballpark. The 2022 season welcomes the addition of Ballpark Way, which will serve as a connecting route to the ballpark from Archer Road. For those departing the ballpark via Hull Road, fans will be directed to turn right onto Hull Road from the parking lot and travel eastbound towards SW 23rd Drive. See HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__s3.amazonaws.com_sidearm.sites_gatorzone.com_documents_2022_2_18_Post-5FGame-5Ftraffic-5FPARKING-5FMAP.jpg&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=fjd2O0b9cCLb40XSMfd1iaI_-t4lQsv5W77Qt2uK8q8&e= > for a postgame traffic guide to utilize when departing the ballpark.

PARKING/SHUTTLES
General Parking is available in the west Florida Ballpark baseball lot and the Fifield parking lot located directly across Hull Road. Disabled parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis in the Florida Ballpark west lot with a valid Disabled Placard. Click HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__s3.amazonaws.com_sidearm.sites_gatorzone.com_documents_2022_3_8_FINAL-5FPArkingBaseball-5FRegion.jpg&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=HA8IW8_3yw7Sbp-gcPdq7GRRGR_Oh4QMF-LuY-ZetFs&e= > for a Parking map.

Due to the likelihood of increased traffic for this weekend, parking may be limited around Florida Ballpark and other athletic venues located on the southwest side of campus. Fans are encouraged to park in the lot located at Fifield Hall.

There will be a free shuttle service provided to and from the Fifield parking lot each day of the weekend series.

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<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__s1445136311.t.en25.com_e_er-3Fs-3D1445136311-26lid-3D1301-26elqTrackId-3DF42DAD870CD1B888DE14DCC3F8C8916F-26elq-3Df69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42-26elqaid-3D3046-26elqat-3D1&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=r-R38LucfqefFPw0AQK9bxzru2sleZr81OBjHaLL2LA&e= > from your mobile device or
2) through FloridaGators.com/myaccount<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__s1445136311.t.en25.com_e_er-3Fs-3D1445136311-26lid-3D1324-26elqTrackId-3DE19038CB8FD63F3F29DC57131044A028-26elq-3Df69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42-26elqaid-3D3046-26elqat-3D1&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=xngh2NVGlCYjeOQzcEdkEuTqb_lY6x0mmeMKns14PmfOLkQepas8tpnQRj-SqVDl&s=tkIJGEuwip83t1wAWGTs8VAIRa70Y7tWqTRJBbIRnJM&e= >. Fans will also be able to transfer or donate their tickets easily within the app or online.

For a smoother and safer entry on game day, fans are encouraged to add their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay account in advance of coming to the ballpark.

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