GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 14 Florida welcomes South Florida of the American Athletic Conference to Florida Ballpark for the opening game of the 2021 NCAA Gainesville Regional on Friday. In addition to the Bulls, Miami and South Alabama are in town for the 17th NCAA Regional in Gainesville in program history and first since 2018.
Game one between Florida (38-20, 17-13 SEC) and South Florida (28-27, 14-14 AAC) will air on SEC Network at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, June 4. Fans can listen in Gainesville on WRUF 850 AM/98.1 FM and in Jacksonville 1010 XL, or on any mobile device via the 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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=iQrOCTIX9Eckm3rHKs9d2EDuJufrOJ4fgYawW5kQ4eo&e= or by searching for the “Florida Baseball” station).
The winner of Friday’s matinee matchup advances to play the winner of Miami-South Alabama on Saturday, June 5 at 4 p.m. ET, while the loser will play at 12 p.m. ET earlier that same day. Three total wins are needed to claim the NCAA Gainesville Regional title and advance to the NCAA Super Regionals. A complete breakdown of the bracket can be found here<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2021_6_1_Regional-5FBracket-5F2021-5Fall-5F16a.pdf&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=7P1HoW88c_0bRaoC1SGubwx4FS9qlS-K0XAavD4kLwY&e= >.
Across 88 meetings dating back to 1969, the Gators hold a commanding 62-26 lead in the all-time series against the Bulls. While Florida has been successful in Gainesville to the tune of a 42-10 record over South Florida, the Gators have been even better since the arrival of 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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=rQCIBdKcmwSmGbmTDj7ojxYak568Rdj8rEXkih6BY1A&e= > in 2008. Under O’Sullivan, Florida is 22-3 against the Bulls including 19-2 at home. The Gators enter Friday’s matchup having won 24 of the last 27 meetings and wielding an active four-game winning streak in the series.
Friday | 12 p.m. (SEC Network)
South Florida RHP Jack Jasiak (6-7, 2.92 ERA)
Florida RHP Tommy Mace<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14223&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=WC4Zp-V7Bp_kRD150ErB7fVpNIIYS8DYq4wW_Clzk3A&e= > (6-1, 4.32 ERA)
Links WATCH<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3D7edb3723-2D24b0-2D4b5a-2D9bf8-2D95320df99807&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=JzMHvbRknt5O6bMicnUn-PsFKkc7Fx_Sv822pYRqVfM&e= > | LISTEN<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_watch_-3FLive-3D3565-26type-3DArchive&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=H61HIJwcc4Ci12ELY4NWSHHQlQr9WCqky5cIDhXidsg&e= > | LIVE STATS<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.ncaa.com_game_5843260&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=LftgJ4Ljgd_BICI2JQCdGZVmn-ww0-fK0duV_yGWhKM&e= >
Entering the Regional opener, Florida is 17-3 across the team’s previous 20 games at Florida Ballpark. Following a strong weekend at the SEC Tournament, the Gators head into the weekend with a 3-1 record over their last four contests.
HOOVER RECAP
Florida went 3-1 across four games at the SEC Tournament last week, using a 2.12 team ERA to start 3-0 at the event for the first time in 21 years. The Gator offense posted a season-high 18 hits (most since April 23, 2019) in their round-two win over No. 8 Mississippi State, eventually combining for 32 hits in rounds two and three following a 14-hit effort vs. Alabama (W, 7-2) the next day.
REGIONAL REWIND
The Gators are 79-46 (.632) all-time at NCAA Regionals and have claimed 14 Regional Championships across 35 appearances (36th in 2021). 2021 marks the 17th time that Florida has hosted an NCAA Regional and the 10th time during O’Sullivan’s tenure. From 2014-18 in particular, Florida hosted five consecutive NCAA Regionals. Florida has earned a national seed nine times in the last 12 seasons, more than any other school. The Gators’ 12-season NCAA Tournament streak is the fourth-longest in the country.
HOT AT HOME
The Gators have won 17 of their last 20 games at home including 11 of their last 13. Florida ended the season with eight-straight series wins while playing at Florida Ballpark, including series victories over No. 3 Ole Miss and No. 2 Vanderbilt. In fact, the only home series that Florida has lost dating back to 2019 came during the opening weekend of the 2021 campaign, when the Gators dropped two-of-three to then-No. 21 Miami.
THE SERIES WITH MIAMI
Dating back to 1940, Florida has faced off with Miami a grand total of 258 times. The Gators are 125-132-1 (.486) all-time against the Hurricanes.
AN UNFAMILIAR FOE
If Florida and South Alabama were to match up at any point during this weekend’s NCAA Regional, it would mark just the fourth-ever meeting between the two programs. The Gators are 2-1 all-time vs. the Jaguars and enter the weekend with a two-game winning streak in the series, with the most-recent game coming in 1991.
SEASON HONORS
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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=o1eN3GrfjJiv3SRsbXlieEcE2xhY29Q7u40xc9nZlWA&e= > was named a Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball on June 3 after receiving First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. 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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=o4IY-iei4vJlhUIcf4XxoHFUv51toNj1K7VOZXEw8Y4&e= > and left-handed pitcher 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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=DNYWcmDMZkbfSTcf7lOgruttZfkJywSjecx_Lve-CRc&e= > previously collected Newcomer All-SEC Honors while OF Sterlin Thompson<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14247&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=c5Btduxq16UcTsNTn8Xh0XkCW09BEO4WpAzE5W6Curg&e= > was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Hickey (.375/.474/.563), Thompson (.375/.375/.688) and outfielder Jacob Young<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14236&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=Y0Rt3yKvkJrr4qTPWWiiUupxjJQQoK-BobcmtP0ZWK0&e= > (.471/.474/.882) each garnered SEC All-Tournament Team accolades as well.
JY, STERLIN IN FULL STRIDE
Young and Thompson were at the heart of the Gators’ offensive success at the SEC Tournament, as both players ultimately hauled in SEC All-Tournament team honors. Young led the entire event with a .471 batting average, finishing with an .882 slugging percentage, two home runs, one double, five RBI and four runs. As for Thompson, the freshman outfielder batted at a .375/.375/.688 clip with one home run, two doubles, five runs scored and five RBI.
BIG MAN HAS A BIG DAY
Receiving the round-three start against Alabama on May 27 at the SEC Tournament, right-handed pitcher Franco Aleman<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D14238&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=Mj3me3IZiLw-J4mGlgoY0g0cSKntsWiF4rXxg2ien5A&e= > delivered the best performance of his young career. Aleman tossed a career-high seven shutout innings, scattering five hits and one walk while striking out four batters. The right-hander recorded his first-ever quality start in the outing while winning his first game since April 1 versus Ole Miss.
HERE COMES THE JUD
With four two-home run games in 2021, most recently against Georgia on May 15, Fabian ranks second in the SEC with 20 home runs (T-6th NCAA). In the process, Fabian became just the fifth player in Florida baseball history to hit 20 homers in one season. Fabian also ranks fifth in the SEC in walks (40) and tied for seventh in total bases (126). Overall, the Ocala, Fla. native is slashing .258/.375/.581 with 30 extra-base hits, 10 doubles, 46 RBI and six stolen bases to go with two outfield assists and a .984 fielding percentage defensively.
BARCO DAY EQUALS WINNING WAYS
Left-handed pitcher Barco boasts a 10-2 record on the season and is 7-0 across his previous nine starts, including wins in six of his last seven. He has not lost a start since March 28 at South Carolina. Across those last nine starts, Barco owns a 2.77 ERA and a .218 batting average against. In his most-recent start against No. 8 Mississippi State at the SEC Tournament, Barco registered his first-career complete game, pitching all seven innings and allowing just one run on four hits with four strikeouts.
FLORIDA IN THE SEC RANKINGS
Florida ranks inside the top four in the SEC in sacrifice flies (second; 30), doubles (third; 102), triples (fourth; 13), and hits (fourth; 555). As a pitching staff, the Gators rank third in innings (514), saves (17) and fewest-walks allowed (168).
NATIONAL RANKINGS
The Gators rank 17th in the country with 555 total hits this season and tied for 22nd nationally with 70 home runs.
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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=rQCIBdKcmwSmGbmTDj7ojxYak568Rdj8rEXkih6BY1A&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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=rQCIBdKcmwSmGbmTDj7ojxYak568Rdj8rEXkih6BY1A&e= > passed Dave Fuller for the most wins in program history. O’Sullivan has 585 career wins and a .679 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.
GAINESVILLE NCAA REGIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday, June 4
Game One: 12 p.m. ET – South Florida vs. Florida (SEC Network)
Game Two: 5 p.m. ET – South Alabama vs. Miami (ACC Network)
Saturday, June 5
Game Three: 12 p.m. ET – Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two
Game Four: 4 p.m. ET – Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two
Sunday, June 6
Game Five: 12 p.m. ET – Loser Game Four vs. Winner Game Three
Game Six: 6 p.m. ET – Winner Game Four vs. Winner Game Five
Monday, June 7
Game Seven (if necessary): 1 p.m. ET – Winner Game Six vs. Loser Game Six
PARKING & SHUTTLES
For the four-day event, Florida will lift parking restrictions at Fifield Hall, Florida Ballpark lots and in front of Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Shuttles will run regularly from each of those locations.
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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=-_hhDvs-pYei3IA-TOWERchgmrWhOBJs0St9S0EhYBc&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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=lBbROeOQVkC0WvM8YXM20f3Za9P7GYurgHb-dyDAR7Y&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=bgQhRz3HD1bw_MSx-NswMgYAnsORHS2PEjxQBHa3LDU&s=g04uwGkG5ND0C3AVY8mHE2Pp1AykwFf30gwwqt-uyxI&e= >
…
