Florida has won five-consecutive, regular-season series vs. SC in Gainesville dating back to 2013.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 24 Florida Gators are set to host the South Carolina Gamecocks at Condron Family Ballpark this weekend in a rematch of the 2023 NCAA Gainesville Super Regional.
Games one and two will stream on SEC Network+ on Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.). Sunday’s series finale airs on SEC Network at 12 p.m.
Last meeting in Supers last season from June 9-10, the Gators (17-15, 6-6 SEC) won each of the first two games (5-4, 4-0) to secure the program’s eighth College World Series trip in 16 seasons under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/kevin-o-sullivan/1752>. During the regular season, South Carolina (23-10, 6-6 SEC) swept Florida in Columbia (13-3, 5-2, 7-5), as each of the last five meetings in the series have been won by the home team.
The Gators have claimed five-straight, regular-season series against the Gamecocks in Gainesville dating back to 2013, as the team’s last home series loss came in 2011. In that span, Florida is 14-3 against South Carolina at home counting the 2023 Super Regional. The Gators are 31-22 in the rivalry under O’Sullivan, featuring an impressive 18-5 record at home.
Most notably, Florida has a chance to take the lead in the all-time series this weekend with a strong showing. The Orange & Blue trail in the all-time series at 53-54, but are 31-16 against the Gamecocks at home.
Pitching Matchups
Friday | 6:30 ET (SECN+) Saturday | 4 ET (SECN+) Sunday | 12 ET (SECN)
South Carolina RHP Eli Jones (2-1, 3.89 ERA) RHP Ty Good (4-0, 1.93 ERA) LHP Matthew Becker (4-1, 3.38 ERA)
Florida RHP Brandon Neely<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-neely/16373> (1-0, 5.18 ERA) TBA LHP <https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/16365> Jac Caglianone<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/16365> (3-0, 3.67 ERA)
Links WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/1d68be90-374b-4e76-abf6-37aea2609918> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5398> WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/e579176f-a0d1-4059-a865-f8c1382ecabb> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5399> WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/00d0da96-10ac-45df-a14e-d43cea82eeb2> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5400>
The Gators dropped to No. 24 in the D1Baseball Top 25 following the road trip to Columbia, Mo. Florida is ranked as highly as No. 16 nationally per Perfect Game, also coming in at No. 18 according to the USA Today Poll.
SERIES PROMOS
There are special themes and/or giveaways at Condron Family Ballpark for each game throughout Orange & Blue Weekend vs. South Carolina. Friday’s opener is Country Western Night, as the first 500 fans will receive themed T-shirts while the first 500 UF students get Ariat hats, courtesy of Russell’s Western Wear. Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. to allow fans to navigate over to the ballpark after the conclusion of the Orange & Blue Spring Football Game at 1 p.m. On Sunday, the first 1,000 fans will be gifted with bench towels, courtesy of Meldon Law.
FOOD TRUCKS
There will be two food trucks located in the Dizney Grove area beyond the outfield wall on each day of the weekend series.
Friday: Fat Tiki Island Flair, B’z Gelati
Saturday: Mexi Cocina Mobile, Twisted Tikka Indian Food Truck
Sunday: Cilantro Tacos, RastafarIce Shaved Ice
SCOUTING SC
South Carolina’s lone SEC series win this season was a home sweep of Vanderbilt, as the Gamecocks come into the weekend at 23-10 (6-6 SEC). After dropping two of three at home last weekend to No. 3 Texas A&M, South Carolina is hitting .271/.424/.475 as a team with 50 home runs in 33 games. On the mound, the Gamecocks have worked to a 4.27 ERA and 326 strikeouts against 124 walks in 282 2/3 innings while fielding at a .971 clip defensively.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gators are coming off a 1-3 week, defeating Florida A&M in a midweek contest before falling in three one-run games at Missouri (2-1, 4-3, 11-10). Florida posted an even run differential on the week, scoring 24 runs across the four games while allowing 24 on the hill. Offensively, the Gators batted .215/.346/.496 with 11 home runs, compared to opponents’ hitting .274/.354/.363 with two long balls.
CAN’T CRACK CONDRON
Florida has won 15-consecutive three-game, regular-season home series at Condron Family Ballpark dating back to the 2022 season. The Gators are 32-8 in home series since 2023 following series wins over No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 21 Mississippi State. Florida is 47-14 at home since the start of last season. Counting Florida’s 2023 Super Regional sweep vs. South Carolina, the Gators have won 16-straight series at home.
WEEKEND WARRIORS
Despite the series loss at Mizzou, the Gators have claimed 22 of their last 25 three-game, regular-season series dating back to the 2022 season including 15 of 18 in SEC play. The Gators are 44-19 in weekend series since the start of last season and 53-22 across the team’s previous 25 series at any venue.
THE SEC’S FINEST
Since Florida’s last home series loss vs. Tennessee (April 22-24, 2022), the Gators have gone 43-22 vs. SEC opponents featuring a 35-19 regular-season mark. Dating back to O’Sullivan’s first year at UF in 2008, Florida’s .614 winning percentage is the best in the conference (281-177).
DINGERS, GEMS & WHIFFS APLENTY
The Gators are the SEC’s second-best defensive team in terms of fielding percentage, ranking eighth in the NCAA at .981. Having launched 69 home runs in 32 games (2.2 HR/G), Florida ranks fifth nationally and third in the SEC in big flies. With 341 strikeouts in 280 innings, Florida sits 11th nationally and fourth in the SEC in strikeouts per nine (11.0).
RELENTLESS REPTILES
Florida boasts nine come-from-behind wins on the season, with all six of Florida’s SEC victories coming in comeback fashion. The Gators wield three walk-off victories already this year.
JAC OF ALL TRADES
Two-way standout Jac Caglianone<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/16365> is hitting .397/.484/.802, leading Florida in every slash category as well as a 1.286 OPS. He is tied for second in the SEC in homers (17), third in hits (52) and total bases (105), and fifth in batting. On the mound, he paces the team with a 3.67 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while ranking fourth in the SEC in batting average against (.183) across 34 1/3 innings. Among qualified SEC pitchers, Caglianone is tied for the second-fewest hits allowed (22), sixth-fewest homers allowed (three) and ninth-fewest earned runs surrendered (14). He has not allowed a hit until at least the third inning in five of seven starts and has taken three no-hitters into the fourth or later.
YOUNG GUNS
Florida has used 10 freshman pitchers featuring six in SEC play, with both totals pacing the SEC. Tennessee is the next-closest with eight freshman pitchers used this year. Florida’s six freshman hurlers in SEC play is twice as many as the next-closest schools.
BLAKE SUPERIOR
Across his last nine appearances dating back to March 12 vs. FSU, right-hander Blake Purnell<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/blake-purnell/16374> has posted a 0.87 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. In that span, he has struck out 10 against one walk while holding opposing hitters to a .182 batting average. He sports a 4.30 ERA over 15 games spanning 14 2/3 frames this season.
FRIDAY NIGHT NEELS
Friday night guy Brandon Neely<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/brandon-neely/16373> tossed five innings of one-run ball at Missouri last weekend in his second start of the 2024 season. Neely logged 13 saves in the closer role en route to All-American honors last season, but shined as a starter as a freshman in 2022: 2-3, 3.60 ERA, 50.0 IP, 54 K, 16 BB. He has held hitters to a .228 batting average against this season and owns a .216 career mark.
CHECK THE FRESH LP
True freshman righty Liam Peterson<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/liam-peterson/16631> is coming off his best-career SEC start, setting career highs with six innings pitched and nine strikeouts at Missouri on April 6. He allowed just two walks and four hits, and allowed just two runs through 5 2/3 frames against the Tigers before being charged with two more prior to his exit.
McDEALIN’
Since the start of SEC play, freshman right-hander Luke McNeillie<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/luke-mcneillie/16629> leads the Gators with a 1.32 ERA across seven appearances spanning 13 2/3 innings. He has fanned 20 batters against five walks in that stretch while also boasting a team-best .196 batting average against that features just two extra-base hits (both doubles).
GARY ON GUARD
After leading NCAA Division I in pitch framing last season, catcher Tanner Garrison<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/tanner-garrison/16622> ranks third in the SEC in runners caught stealing (7-for-13) while sporting the top caught-stealing rate in the conference at 53.8%. Garrison has a 1.000 fielding percentage over 146 chances.
MURDERERS’ ROW
Both Caglianone (1.286) and shortstop Colby Shelton<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/colby-shelton/16639> (1.046) wield an OPS over 1.000. Add in outfielder/infielder Tyler Shelnut<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/tyler-shelnut/16376> (.998) and outfielder Ty Evans<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/ty-evans/16368> (.992), and Florida has four hitters with an OPS above .990 who are slugging over .560. That quartet has combined for 47 home runs and 119 RBI in 32 games.
TYME TO SHINE
With 31 starts this season after playing in 49 games (44 starts) one year ago, Evans has already set career highs in hits (42) and walks (11) while his 30 runs scored are tied for his most in a single season. Entering 2024 as a career .240/.301/.477 hitter across 262 at bats, Evans is hitting .339/.427/.656 this season, marking an improvement of nearly .100 points in every slash category. He has hits in 25 of 31 games this year and multiple knocks in 13 of the last 22 contests. His 14 multi-hit games on the year rank second behind Caglianone’s 18.
SULLY SUPERLATIVES
Since O’Sullivan’s 2008 arrival, no college program has more CWS trips (eight), Super Regionals hosted (nine), top-eight national seeds (10) and NCAA Tournament bids (15) than the Florida Gators. Overall, Florida’s 15-straight NCAA bids represent the second-longest active streak in the sport. The Gators have also hosted 12 NCAA Regionals out of a possible 15 during O’Sullivan’s tenure (no NCAA Tournament in 2020), which ranks first in the nation. Looking at the SEC specifically, Florida’s .617 winning percentage (277-172) since 2008 is the top mark in the conference.
ARRIVE EARLY & PRE-PURCHASE TO AVOID DELAYS
Fans are encouraged to arrive early throughout the weekend, especially on Saturday, as large crowds are expected at Condron Family Ballpark. Particularly on Saturday, fans are advised to pre-purchase their tickets regardless of seating location to avoid delays at the ballpark’s box office (due to Saturday’s Orange & Blue Spring Football Game).
PARKING/SHUTTLES
Fans are encouraged to park at the Fifield and IFAS lots during the weekend. An increased number of shuttles will be available for transportation to the ballpark each day.
Click HERE<https://floridagators.com/documents/2024/2/14/2024_BB_Parking_Map_copy.pdf> for a Parking map.
* 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.
* Fans can follow this link<http://floridagators.com/EventParking> to an interactive parking map.
* RV Parking is available in the Fifield Flat lot. Reserved RV parking is not available for Florida baseball games. All motor home parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.
* On-board generators are permitted, however exterior or pull-along generators are prohibited at all times. For safety reasons, all motor homes/RVs are required to utilize exhaust extensions or “smoke stacks” to channel exhaust fumes to the top of the motor home/RV.
* Overnight stays are only allowed on weekend series in the Fifield Flat lot.
* Saving Spaces
* Saving parking spaces for other motorists is not permitted in any lot
* Tailgating
* Tailgating is not allowed in the Condron Main lot
* Do Not Park Illegally
* Park in designated parking spots (Do not Park on grass or in No Parking Zones).
* Vehicles are subject to towing if they block streets, sidewalks, service drives, or fire lanes, or if illegally parked in a disabled space
TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Condron Family Ballpark on game day should be aware of updated traffic patterns surrounding the ballpark. Fans are advised to utilize Ballpark Way, which will serve as a connecting route to the ballpark from Archer Road. For departures, a postgame traffic flow pattern guide can be found here.<https://floridagators.com/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=0&image_path=/images/2022/4/22/BB_Post_Game_Traffic_20220421.png>
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<http://s1445136311.t.en25.com/e/er?s=1445136311&lid=1301&elqTrackId=F42DAD870CD1B888DE14DCC3F8C8916F&elq=f69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42&elqaid=3046&elqat=1> from your mobile device or
2) through FloridaGators.com/myaccount<http://s1445136311.t.en25.com/e/er?s=1445136311&lid=1324&elqTrackId=E19038CB8FD63F3F29DC57131044A028&elq=f69e4978773d47758819914b4936bd42&elqaid=3046&elqat=1>. Fans will also be able to transfer or donate their tickets easily within the app or online.
TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets are currently on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_tickets_baseball_.aspx> or by contacting the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683. Season ticket prices and availability can be accessed directly here.<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/en/virtual-venue/QlMyNA==>
Tickets are currently on sale for the 2024 season, including both season tickets and single-game options. Tickets can be purchased online<https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_tickets_baseball_.aspx> or by contacting the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683. Season ticket prices and availability can be accessed directly here<https://am.ticketmaster.com/gators/en/virtual-venue/QlMyNA==> while single-game tickets<https://www.ticketmaster.com/florida-gators-baseball-tickets/artist/1294070> as well as On-Deck Flex Passes<https://floridagators.com/sports/2021/12/10/baseball-flex-pass.aspx> are currently on sale now.
ON DECK
Florida remains at home to host Jacksonville on Tuesday, April 16. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. with coverage on SEC Network+.
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