UF BSB: Gators Host Florida State in Decisive Game Three

Florida is 31-19 vs. Florida State under Kevin O’Sullivan with wins in 18 of the last 22 meetings.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida hosts No. 20 Florida State on Tuesday night in the third of three meetings during the 2022 campaign, with the season series currently tied at one game apiece.

Tuesday’s matchup will air on SEC Network with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

The Gators (32-19, 13-14 SEC) defeated the Seminoles (32-18, 15-12 ACC) by a score of 6-3 in Jacksonville on March 29, while Florida State picked up a 5-0 win in Tallahassee on April 12. Florida has won six of the last seven against Florida State at home and 11 of the previous 13.

Across 255 all-time meetings, the Seminoles hold a slight 131-123-1 edge in the series, although the Gators boast a 64-49 record in Gainesville. Florida is 31-19 vs. Florida State 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=cAiiP3VeSkkn03n1ITUZhQi4H9NscEZgfIt_b9uEFWc&e= >, including 16-3 at home.

Pitching Matchup
Tuesday | 7 p.m. (SECN)

FSU RHP Jackson Baumeister (1-2, 4.30 ERA)
Florida RHP 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=Ong9f1Ca9KW_JCEdwSqN8xoiYdh8JcCFuF94G5tubUE&e= > (3-0, 3.65 ERA)
Links WATCH<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_catalog_e364bfcd-2D493d-2D3bfb-2Dac83-2Dbd27d66fedd0_baseball-23bucketId-3D29774-26sourceCollection-3DBrowse-5FBy-5FSport-5FNew&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=s8LKWi4ioVCIXzIFXXH2QyFcaCO5WtS8pqcfu079S2A&e= > | LISTEN<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_watch_-3FLive-3D4876-26type-3DLive&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=WdOL_mREsvg0rWU0PEeM4g9ky8jqe_MWxzhy4uW6gS4&e= >

FIC-MAGIC
With 27 career appearances including 25 this season (second on team), right-handed pitcher 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=Ong9f1Ca9KW_JCEdwSqN8xoiYdh8JcCFuF94G5tubUE&e= > will make his first-career start tonight against Florida State. Ficarrotta has pitched in each of the first two games vs. the Noles this year, allowing one run across 3 2/3 innings on two hits, four walks and three strikeouts for a 2.45 ERA and .167 batting average against. He enters with two-straight scoreless outings spanning 4 1/3 frames, striking out seven and walking zero in that span. Across his last five games dating back to April 23 vs. No. 1 Tennessee, Ficarrotta has a 0.96 ERA with 14 strikeouts and zero walks over 9 1/3 innings.

SCOUTING THE SEMINOLES
No. 20 Florida State enters the midweek contest with a 32-18 record and 15-12 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Seminoles have won each of their last three series over TCU, Boston College and No. 9 Miami. Florida State is batting .262 as a team with a staff ERA of 3.74 that is backed by a .968 fielding percentage.

COMING IN HOT
Since reshuffling the top of the lineup for the start of the Kentucky series (Langford, Thompson, Fabian, Riopelle), Florida has won nine of its last 11 games and is 7-2 across its last three SEC series. During that stretch, Florida is batting .282/.405/.511 as a team with 20 home runs and 42 total extra-base hits, scoring 7.9 runs per game runs while allowing only 3.1 runs per game. The pitching staff has clearly turned a corner in that period, evidenced by a 2.85 team ERA and .234 BAA across 98 innings pitched.

MIDWEEK MAGIC
The Gators are 11-1 in midweek contests this season, sporting wins over Stetson (twice), Jacksonville and then-No. 5 Florida State. Florida is slashing .335/.412/.600 in those 12 midweek games with 97 runs scored on 27 home runs, three triples and 25 doubles. The Gator pitching staff owns a 2.02 ERA, .181 BAA and 112 strikeouts in 107 midweek innings.

FLORIDA’S TEAM
The Gators have played 15 games against Florida-based teams in 2022 and sport an 13-2 record against in-state competition, including an 8-0 mark at home. Three of the Gators’ 11 in-state wins were against top-25 teams with victories over then-No. 22 Miami (now No. 9) and one win over then-No. 5 Florida State (now No. 20). Against in-state teams, Florida is batting .315/.406/.555 with 7.9 runs per game while allowing 2.5 runs per game. On the pitching end, the Gators have produced a 2.10 ERA, .188 BAA and 145 strikeouts in 133 frames.

WHO’S SIZZLING
Over the last 11 games, Langford leads the team in batting and slugging with a .452/.579/.857 line including four home runs, 19 runs, nine RBI, 10 walks and just one strikeout. Other notable hitters in that stretch include 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=P5XmPTTVQAUXcE4Yyu4HE8M24gt9t1xTacLoV6SHNbw&e= > (.444/.611/.722, 2 HR, 15 R, 16 RBI, 13 BB, 5 K) and Riopelle (.390/.426/.634, 2 HR, 16 RBI).

LED BY LANGFORD
A candidate for SEC Player of the Year, Langford paces Florida in every slash category (.359/.445/.687), as well as runs (55), hits (70), RBI (51), steals (six) and on-base plus slugging (1.132). He is among the SEC leaders in total bases (T-second), runs (T-second), slugging (third), hits (fourth), home runs (17, T-fourth) triples (three, T-sixth), RBI (T-sixth), batting average (eighth) and on-base percentage (T-11th). His 21 multi-hit games lead the team and his nine three-hit games are three more than the next-closest Gator (Thompson: six).

GENERATIONAL OUTFIELD
On May 12, D1Baseball released its updated list of top-100 outfielders in college baseball with Langford (No. 10), 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=lIyBud3Qoa69mc3IMb-QnPFSwoN3s9a7hXIJ4xgBkRQ&e= > (No. 19) and Thompson (No. 27) all making the cut. Florida is the only team in the nation to have all three starting outfielders ranked inside the top 30.

RIOPELLE PACING SEC CATCHERS
Riopelle leads all SEC catchers in slugging percentage (.608), home runs (14) and RBI (50). He owns a .316/.376/.608 slash line on the year and took home SEC Co-Player of the Week honors two weeks ago after batting .533/.556/1.133 with a team-high eight RBI. During the month of April, Riopelle led all SEC catchers with seven home runs, 22 RBI and a .672 slugging percentage.

GOING STREAKING
Thompson is riding a 21-game on-base streak, batting .382/.500/.539 during that span. Meanwhile, Langford has reached in 13 straight including a team-high eight-game hitting streak. Langford is slashing .516/.628/.903 with three homers, 16 runs, nine walks and zero strikeouts during his hitting streak.

CHASING 100 HOMERS
Florida is tied for ninth in the country with 92 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 99 home runs in the regular season alone, which would mark the program’s fourth-highest total ever, as well as the second-most under O’Sullivan (2018 – 100).

HOME RUN TRIO
J. Fabian is tied for second in the SEC with 19 home runs (T-13th nation) while Langford owns 17 homers (T-fourth SEC, T-24th nation) and Riopelle has connected for 14 long balls (T-11th SEC, T-76th nation). Fabian, Langford and Riopelle’s 50 combined homers are tied for the fourth-most of any trio in the nation behind only Old Dominion (59), Texas (53) and Maryland (51). Florida is one of six teams with three players with 14-plus homers.

THE FABIAN FILE
2021 All-American J. Fabian is tied for second in the SEC with 19 home runs (T-13th nationally), T-ninth with 50 runs, T-11th with 48 RBI, T-14th with 111 total bases and T-second with 51 walks (T-fourth nationally). Fabian’s strikeout rate is down 7.7% from last season’s mark of 29.4%, sitting at 21.7% in 2022. He is looking to become the second Gator to eclipse 20-plus homers in consecutive seasons (Brad Wilkerson, 1997-98). There have only 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 the next time he homers. Fabian currently sits on 51 career homers, which ranks fourth all-time at Florida.

STATE OF THE DEFENSE
Florida ranks 12th in the nation with a .981 fielding percentage. The Gators have not committed an error in their last four games.

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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=36O_bGBtk8Rm_fg4C7tPZ0xmH6U0wOJ-eN1Ib8G4i_Y&e= > accomplished the feat. 2022 represents O’Sullivan’s 15th season as the head coach at Florida. During that time, O’Sullivan owns a 617-297 (.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.

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

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. 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=CQYbALL3kFYavOYVJwtMukJqDD9Tg2wkQMa9HXebSrg&e= > follows closely behind at No. 54, while Thompson (No. 90) and 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=PqUfT7eGTsJQrR2fKPZwfDKKaBu57pyO-LbMf02Vbzs&e= > (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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=S_fc1A1NuCLtT1PiN6mz88UOBt344VHu2yTeAxuwN3s&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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=6hA0IPUySeQJvaPGN9dWr2UnikrJHsvpSasC16i386o&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 <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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=KLrda6yKFg2kd7MttfZWEJ6xm8sXzzLRqw-fXKYySvQ&e= > 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=KLrda6yKFg2kd7MttfZWEJ6xm8sXzzLRqw-fXKYySvQ&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).

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

TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Condron Family 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__floridagators.com_documents_2022_2_18_Post-5FGame-5Ftraffic-5FPARKING-5FMAP.jpg&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=x885h-zmKyzoq52GTxjX9_u53wxR9HZ-omzcyQBV_0E&e= > for a postgame traffic guide to utilize when departing the ballpark.

PARKING/SHUTTLES
General Parking is available in the west Condron Family 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 Condron Family Ballpark west lot with a valid Disabled Placard. Click HERE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2022_3_8_FINAL-5FPArkingBaseball-5FRegion.jpg&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=ydxQsav3-3lADCGedXCmTRVZWsBmPVxcnjuI1QD6JEc&e= > for a Parking map.

Due to the likelihood of increased traffic for this weekend, parking may be limited around Condron Family 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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=Q1_mOMl4I_If3YbBlZD0TGo1CZvNvqZa2zGVwnBMatE&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=nz6Ps9V0W_VbOx5TNpj5pGJcWD_RfH7BoyOWJb2uEI67Ii5msYAVLB2QCdiBJveW&s=80-8kyxgAVRdLyD67kHHX99oSdjUaZ-Wsdkt4qfkGnA&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.

ON DECK
Florida travels to Columbia, Mo. this upcoming weekend for a three-game series against the Missouri Tigers. The series will span from Friday, May 13 to Sunday, May 15 and all three games will stream on SEC Network+.

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UF BSB: Gators Host Florida State in Decisive Game Three

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