UF BSB: No. 10 Florida Visits Kentucky in Pivotal SEC Series

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 10 Florida baseball (31-13, 13-8 SEC) travels to Lexington this upcoming Thursday-Saturday for a three-game road series at Kentucky (26-15, 10-11 SEC).

The action begins with game one on Thursday at 7 p.m. on SEC Network. Game two will stream live on SEC Network+ on Friday at 6:30 p.m., with the series wrapping up on Saturday at 2 p.m. on SEC Network+. Fans can listen in Gainesville on WRUF 850 AM/98.1 FM and in Jacksonville 1010 XL or on any mobile device via TuneIn app (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tunein.com_radio_Florida-2DBaseball-2Ds308240_&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=whZ76CmDzsCi2tmHvPeAGYsteitc0y-lA1No-dYdTxg&e= or by searching for the “Florida Baseball” station).

Dating back to 1953, the Gators and Wildcats gave faced off 212 times with Florida holding a 142-69-1 advantage (.672) in the all-time series. Under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=lL5t4818Mj5vdYZnFO6ox1RbKhLVcRPUtEEG2fXPbmg&e= >, the Gators are 20-18 versus Kentucky including 9-9 on the road. Florida enters this week’s three-game series having won six of their last eight games against the Wildcats, although there has not been a sweep in this series by either team since the Gators took three games in Gainesville back in 2005.

Pitching Matchups
Thursday | 7 p.m. (SEC Network) Friday | 6:30 P.M. (SECN+) Saturday | 2 p.m. (SECN+)

The Gators come into the three-game set versus Kentucky red hot and fresh off of a series victory over No. 2 Vanderbilt. Florida has won 11 of their last 13 games as well as 14 of their last 18 and now sit just one game behind Vanderbilt and Tennessee for the top spot in the SEC East. Additionally, the Gators have racked up double-digit hits in five of their last six games, averaging 12.8 hits per game over the course of that span. In total, Florida boasts five wins against top-five nationally-ranked teams this year.

LAST TIME OUT
Prior to defeating Stetson by a 9-6 score in a Tuesday midweek contest, Florida went head-to-head against No. 2 Vanderbilt last weekend at Florida Ballpark. After coming up short in game one by an 11-7 margin, the Gators rallied to take the final two games (W 11-8, W 5-3) and secure a series victory. Florida is the first team to beat Vanderbilt in back-to-back games all season long and just the second team to claim a series win over the Commodores in 2021.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Florida takes to the road for the first time since their April 23-25 series at Auburn, in which they claimed two-of-three games to clinch the series over the Tigers. Overall, the Gators are 5-7 on the road this season, but are 4-1 across their last five contests outside of Gainesville.

HERE COMES THE JUD
Outfielder Jud Fabian<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14217&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=ARnp86nrUxcA4c63Ke7YJJjDHSU00oxJSfhotHoX3bk&e= > is currently tied for second in the nation with 16 home runs this season and is tied for 25th in the country with 101 total bases. Although he had his career-high nine-game hitting streak snapped in game three versus Vanderbilt, Fabian has been on a torrid pace over his last 11 games dating back to April 16 against Missouri. Across those 11 games, Fabian is slashing .375/.500/.875 with a 1.375 OPS, five home runs, five doubles, 13 runs and 11 RBI while being a perfect 3-for-3 in stolen bases. As a result of the hot streak, Fabian raised his season batting line to .263/.374/.605 and is tied for the SEC lead in home runs. Fabian also ranks near the top of the conference in total bases (third; 101), walks (tied sixth; 30), slugging percentage (eighth; .605) and runs (tied eighth; 43).

ARMSTRONG FLEXING
Infielder/designated hitter Kris Armstrong<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14210&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=sKOL22nQqAe7cVJ3ydVdR9OV7fx9Ls7Z_Vnr81fVU7A&e= > clubbed his third home run in the last four games in the eighth inning against Stetson on Tuesday. Armstrong previously homered in back-to-back contests versus Vanderbilt over the weekend, taking Kumar Rocker deep in game one and finishing with five RBI in the series. Over the last four games in which he has gone deep three times, Armstrong owns a 1.368 OPS backed by a .353/.368/1.000 slash line with 17 total bases, five extra-base hits, seven RBI and four runs scored. Armstrong is now batting .307/.340/.648 on the season with seven home runs, one triple, seven doubles, 24 RBI and 15 runs scored.

HICKEY REACHES IN 21 STRAIGHT
Starting catcher Nathan Hickey<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14220&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=DtpGak2DcLKP2UXeYDWedCKMpKMxUlzL29VnUBEHoqA&e= > has reached base in 21 consecutive games, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run against Stetson on May 4 to extend the streak. During that span, Hickey is batting .367/.480/.582 with three home runs, eight doubles, 21 RBI, 12 runs and one stolen base. Overall, the Gator catcher is tied for first in the SEC with 13 doubles while ranking second in on-base percentage (.478), second in walks (27), tied for fifth in RBI (45), sixth in batting average (.354) and tied for 11th in hits (57). Hickey is batting .354/.478/.596 with eight home runs and a team-leading 45 RBI this season.

MCMULLEN EXTENDS HIT STREAK TO 11 GAMES
With a 1-for-3 night on Tuesday versus Stetson, infielder Kirby McMullen<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14224&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=DRn-mfVGY_qgJQae53W19lAWgmYyuH2wu5BebSe482M&e= > increased his hitting streak to 11 games. The streak dates back to April 16 against Missouri. Over the course of the streak, McMullen owns a .341/.429/.537 batting line with two homers, two doubles, 11 RBI and eight runs.

GATORS STAY HOT ON BARCO SUNDAY
Southpaw Hunter Barco<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14211&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=tfTOXqNv2zcXdbO24IAJPOptQrpn78jopTHAtdkoJ7g&e= > earned the victory in the series clincher over Vanderbilt this past Sunday, improving to 7-2 on the season by going 5.1 innings with three runs allowed and seven strikeouts. The performance marked Barco’s fifth game with seven or more strikeouts of the year. Barco’s seven wins are tied for second in the SEC and the left-hander is tied for the most games started in the conference with 11.

FLORIDA IN THE SEC RANKINGS
As a team, Florida ranks inside the top three in the SEC in the following offensive categories: hits (second; 436), sacrifice flies (tied second; 24), batting average (third; .287), doubles (third; 84), total bases (third; 710) and triples (tied third; 11). On the pitching side, the Gators are tied for second in saves (14) and have allowed the fourth-fewest walks (133) in the conference.

NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Gators rank seventh in the country with 436 total hits this season. Florida is also tied for 16th nationally with 56 home runs while ranking 25th with 85 doubles.

SULLY MAKES SCHOOL HISTORY
Gators head coach <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=lL5t4818Mj5vdYZnFO6ox1RbKhLVcRPUtEEG2fXPbmg&e= > Kevin O’Sullivan<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_coaches.aspx-3Frc-3D1291&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=lL5t4818Mj5vdYZnFO6ox1RbKhLVcRPUtEEG2fXPbmg&e= > passed Dave Fuller for the most wins in program history. O’Sullivan has 578 career wins and a .682 winning percentage (which ranks third among active coaches with at least 10 Division I seasons). Fuller finished his illustrious Gators head coaching career with 556 wins from 1948-75.

NEXT TIME OUT
Florida travels to Stetson for a Tuesday midweek battle on May 11 before wrapping up their regular season home slate with a three-game series against Georgia (May 14-16) at Florida Ballpark. The first two games of the Georgia series will stream live on SEC Network+ at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday, while game three will air on SEC Network at 12 p.m. on Sunday. Fans can listen in Gainesville on WRUF 850 AM/98.1 FM and in Jacksonville 1010 XL or on any mobile device via TuneIn app (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__tunein.com_radio_Florida-2DBaseball-2Ds308240_&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=whZ76CmDzsCi2tmHvPeAGYsteitc0y-lA1No-dYdTxg&e= or by searching for the “Florida Baseball” station).

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
The safety of our student-athletes, staff and fans remains our top priority. With the guidance of UF Health and the SEC Medical Taskforce, fans will see new guidelines, signage, and enhanced cleaning protocols throughout the ballpark. To comply with physical distancing requirements, all of our pods of seats are three feet apart, including the Berm and Grove areas. In accordance with campus guidelines, face coverings (over the nose and mouth) must be worn at all times unless actively eating or drinking while seated or at standing tables.

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=http-3A__s1445136311.t.en25.com_e_er-3Fs-3D1445136311-26lid-3D2053-26elqTrackId-3D666A47655EB4F75C2F16779344F3319D-26elq-3Df69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42-26elqaid-3D3046-26elqat-3D1&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=kiUL_JGp08xV0u5Cc9E98aadpYg9XuArJO-pe1XCejk&e= > for a Parking map.

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=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=0UpEg8EL9uHSC4retmvupwBaH4itcnnxYt0dRoqkVOQ&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=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=T5UYqwMTAuuOLLvcU4pPviql9ptD0GL2l17f9C8T1tY&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, we encourage fans to add their tickets to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay account in advance of coming to the ballpark. You may also learn more about mobile ticketing in this quick video. <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__s1445136311.t.en25.com_e_er-3Fs-3D1445136311-26lid-3D1767-26elqTrackId-3D47DEC126145F19BE1E3CA7A8EBC441F4-26elq-3Df69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42-26elqaid-3D3046-26elqat-3D1&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=tROtOaILd_snxzhGxylXQn5S427bpULERAKmHSs6jVI&s=8rBwhet9izUk-kW39frwn41FIKUKGIS69pSLZ0px_0A&e= >
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