No. 6 Florida Turns Attention to Florida A&M
The Gators own an active 12-game winning streak over the Rattlers.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 6 Florida is set to host Florida A&M on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Condron Family Ballpark.
Tuesday’s matchup will stream on SEC Network+ and marks the first meeting between the Gators (16-11, 6-3 SEC) and Rattlers (12-16, 7-2 SWAC) since the 2023 NCAA Gainesville Regional. Florida blanked the Rattlers, 3-0, in that contest after posting a 17-7 win over FAMU in seven innings earlier in the campaign on April 18.
As a result, Florida has now won 12-straight games against Florida A&M and holds a 30-1 all-time series lead (all in Gainesville). Under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/kevin-o-sullivan/1752>, the Gators are 14-1 in the series.
Pitching Matchups
Tuesday | 6:30 ET (SEC Network+)
Florida A&M RHP Dallas Tease (0-4, 11.57 ERA)
Florida RHP Ryan Slater<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/ryan-slater/16377> (2-0, 3.51 ERA)
Links WATCH<https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/42140f3c-ba96-40f5-ba06-0a67d8755c77> | LISTEN<https://floridagators.com/showcase?Live=5386>
The Gators stand at No. 6 in the D1Baseball Top 25 this week, holding steady after a series win at home against then-No. 21 Mississippi State. Baseball America ranks Florida at No. 4 in the country, with Perfect Game tabbing the Gators at No. 6.
LAST TIME OUT
The Gators are coming off a series win against then-No. 21 Mississippi State at home, rallying for two walk-off wins on Friday and Sunday off the bats of Cade Kurland<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/cade-kurland/16372> and Jac Caglianone<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/jac-caglianone/16365>. Freshman Luke McNeillie<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/luke-mcneillie/16629> continued his hot streak, blanking the Bulldogs over 4 1/3 innings of work. The Georgia native has now thrown nine-consecutive scoreless innings since the start of SEC play. Catcher Tanner Garrison<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/tanner-garrison/16622> had a standout weekend, going 4-for-7 from the plate with a home run on Friday night. Garrison provided a much-needed spark from the bottom of the order, improving his batting average by more than 60 points.
READ UP ON THE RATTLERS
Florida A&M is 12-16 after sweeping Jackson State this past weekend. The Rattlers beat the Tigers by an average margin of victory of eight runs. FAMU is 7-2 in conference play with a combined ERA of 2.71 and a batting average of .322. The Rattlers are slashing .260/.757/.391 on the season while racking up 21 homers.
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. Florida is 47-14 at home since the start of last season.
NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
Florida has won 23 of its last 31 regular season, non-conference games. Since last season, Florida is 32-11 in non-con action.
RELENTLESS REPTILES
After walking off No. 21 Mississippi State twice over the weekend, Florida increased its number of come-from-behind wins this season to eight. In fact, all six of Florida’s SEC victories have been in come-from-behind fashion. The Gators boast three walk-off victories already this year.
SLATED TO START
Redshirt junior right-hander Ryan Slater<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/ryan-slater/16377> will make his second start of the season and eighth of his career on Tuesday against Florida A&M. His first start of the campaign came on March 19 vs. Jacksonville. Carrying a 2-0 record and 3.51 ERA across 25 2/3 innings, Slater has one prior appearance against the Rattlers. He tossed two scoreless relief innings in the Regional matchup vs. FAMU on June 2, 2023.
McNEILLIE MAGIC
Right-hander Luke McNeillie<https://floridagators.com/sports/baseball/roster/luke-mcneillie/16629> has turned his season around, earning SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Monday. He has strung together five-straight scoreless outings spanning 10 innings, striking out 14 against four walks in that span. He earned both of Florida’s wins en route to a series victory over Mississippi State, going 2-0 on the week with 4 1/3 shutout innings, six strikeouts, zero walks and just two hits allowed.
DINGERS, GEMS & WHIFFS APPLENTY
The Gators are the SEC’s top defensive team in terms of fielding percentage, ranking fourth in the NCAA at .984. Having launched 56 home runs in 27 games (2.1 HR/G), Florida ranks ninth nationally and third in the SEC in big flies. With 290 strikeouts in 238 innings, Florida sits 12th nationally and fourth in the SEC in strikeouts per nine (11.0).
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 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.
* 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.
* 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
The Gators travel to Columbia, Mo. for a three-game series against Missouri this weekend. All three games will stream on SEC Network+, with Friday night’s premiere scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Game two is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET while Sunday’s finale is on the books for 2 p.m. ET.
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