UF BSB: No. 9 Florida Welcomes Liberty for 2022 Season Opener

Florida welcomes Liberty of the Atlantic Sun Conference this upcoming weekend for the first series of the 2022 campaign.

GAME NOTES

<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2022_2_17_2-5F18-5FFlorida-5Fvs-5FLiberty-5FGame-5FNotes.pdf&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=5toiwBbjABbjcaGeqQC6tymSlponR-gsGydQJkJzqZo&e= >SCHEDULE<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_baseball_schedule&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=h1ghPG0Niu0OGNI8-a2L-1GHQ7MN_lKCen-kgFkZXCI&e= >

ROSTER<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_baseball_roster&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=OC60-IIbx1jIa-EJduqOb2MV0ZG8B-H3Kz6W8siE9ts&e= >

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 9 Florida baseball welcomes Liberty of the Atlantic Sun Conference this upcoming weekend for the first series of the 2022 campaign. Opening night is set for Friday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. ET, with game two scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. and the series finale coming on Sunday, Feb. 20 at 12 p.m. All three games of the season-opening series will stream live on SEC Network+.

Dating back to 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=NUj4_DV2Yl_fodte9vFxVO9u1ZzrvT8lxDRbHlYRDpA&e= >’s first season with the Gators in 2008, Florida is 13-1 in season openers while going a combined 37-5 in the first series of the year. The Gators have claimed victories in eight-straight games to open the campaign since 2014, going 21-3 in season-opening series over that span. Across the history of the program, Florida is 65-41-1 all-time in openers, featuring a 45-21-1 mark at home.

The debut matchup of the 2022 season arrives with very little history between the two teams. Florida (2021: 38-22, 17-13 SEC) and Liberty (2021: 41-16, 19-2 ASUN) have only faced off once prior to this weekend’s series, with the Gators defeating then Liberty-Baptist, 11-6, on March 2, 1981. That represents a gap of nearly 41 years between the first and second games in the series.

Pitching Matchups
Friday | 7 p.m. (SECN+) Saturday | 4 p.m. (SECN+) Sunday | 12 p.m. (SECN+)

Coming into the season, Florida is ranked in the top 25 in every major preseason poll, peaking at No. 6 at Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball while opening the year at No. 9 on D1Baseball’s list.

2021 SEASON RECAP
After being ranked as the unanimous preseason No. 1 team one year ago, the Gators concluded the 2021 season at 38-22 overall and 17-13 in the SEC. In being chosen to host the 2021 NCAA Gainesville Regional, Florida continued its streak of a program-record 13-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances – a run which ranks third nationally. The 2021 season marked the 17th time that the Gators hosted an NCAA Regional in addition to signifying the team’s 36th all-time NCAA Regional appearance. Highlights of the 2021 campaign included series victories over No. 2 Vanderbilt and No. 3 Ole Miss, as well as an SEC Tournament semifinal run that saw the Gators open the event 3-0 and take down the eventual NCAA Champions in No. 8 Mississippi State via the run rule, 13-1.

SCOUTING THE FLAMES
Coming off an Atlantic Sun Conference Championship and a trip to the NCAA Knoxville Regional last season thanks to a 41-6 (18-2 ASUN) record, Liberty was picked as the ASUN preseason favorite for the third-consecutive season in 2022. Although Liberty is unranked in the D1Baseball preseason poll, the Flames received votes from Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America and USA Today.

15 YEARS OF SULLY
The 2022 campaign represents O’Sullivan’s 15th season as the head coach at Florida. Over the course of that time, O’Sullivan has amassed a record of 585-278 (.678), passing the legendary Dave Fuller (556-354-6) for the most wins in program history on March 9, 2021. O’Sullivan’s .678 winning percentage ranks third among all active Division I head coaches, while Florida’s .622 clip in SEC play since 2008 stands as the top mark in the conference.

ALL-STAR FIRST PITCH LINEUP
Opening weekend at Florida Ballpark will feature an all-star lineup of honorary first pitches. Head football coach Billy Napier will throw out the first pitch on opening night, with a pair of legendary Gators set to take over the honors for the duration of the series. 2017 National Champion and 2018 Dick Howser Trophy winner Brady Singer is scheduled to assume first-pitch duties on Saturday, Feb. 19. Those planning to attend Sunday’s matinee will be in for a treat as well, as 2012 Golden Spikes Award winner and 2021 MLB All-Star Mike Zunino throws out the first pitch in the series finale.

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

HOT AT HOME
In the inaugural season of Florida Ballpark, the Gators delivered a dominant 28-9 record at home. Florida closed out the regular season with eight-straight home series victories, going 27-4 at home in the team’s final 31 regular-season contests and losing just one game in the final 13 matchups.

ALL-AMERICAN ENCORE
Reigning Third Team All-American outfielder 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=hJjZZseqC1H9Xcntqyyy7tZQFegqIDqbu7U0hl6xZa8&e= > returns to Gainesville for a fourth season after producing a 2021 campaign that saw him become just the fifth Gator to hit 20 home runs in a single season. Finishing the year with a .249/.364/.560 batting line, Fabian was selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox with the 40th overall pick, but elected to return to the Gators after collecting Southeast-ABCA/Rawlings First Team, First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive Team honors. Overall, the Ocala, Fla. native is a .249/.366/.512 career hitter with 32 homers, 25 doubles, 102 runs and 85 RBI in 132 games.

A VETERAN CORE
The Orange & Blue welcome back six positional starters from last year’s squad: Fabian, first baseman/designated hitter Kris Armstrong<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15090&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=4ziTfoaC0zzwrI7SuwjWxjgNhoY1j-7-I75oJ_qyCj8&e= >, first baseman/outfielder Kendrick Calilao<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15092&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=yE6FkSFHprPKQhqvNqglEUzWVIMpJLjOe3MdoDu55Qs&e= >, second baseman 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=bSBqqRyBasVL8b-CBMx05tFpPmjLU1RMOzYoWn93InM&e= >, shortstop 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=6bJvNidsQ_lcf7H641eqoFQ190ERJP4GAKU8jtdJElc&e= > and 2021 Freshman All-SEC 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=8uwdzYDFIzeHE2CuoLYkeoxzdP1AgEKQV5OsS91dODA&e= >. Florida’s veteran positional group aims to offset a young albeit talented Florida pitching staff anchored by 2021 Second Team Southeast All-Region 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=sNFJYgqdMqVnS47-MheQeAdOKuCbDt_vx8a9jINpi4s&e= >, who paced the team with 16 starts and 10 wins one year ago.

NEW BLOOD
The 2022 Florida Gators roster features a hybrid of experience mixed with young talent, as the team returns 19 letterwinners while welcoming in 17 newcomers. Despite having each of its top-three ranked signees ink Major League Baseball contracts last summer, the Gators still managed to recruit an impressive collection of sixteen freshmen and one transfer to finish as the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class according to Perfect Game (No. 2 at D1Baseball, Baseball America).

SOPHOMORE BREAKOUTS
Second-year players Mac Guscette<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15095&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=hkECieED4LckFrEoBJJ9AjGWhPg9hXgu8WDVy_R8QrM&e= >, Halter and Thompson enter 2022 primed for breakout seasons after impressing as freshmen one year ago. Both Halter and Thompson managed to bat above .300 in their debut campaigns across 150-plus at bats, finishing the year at .302 and .301, respectively. As Florida’s starting catcher down the stretch, Guscette batted .298 while exhibiting impressive skills on the defensive end. Outfielder/catcher Wyatt Langford<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_roster.aspx-3Frp-5Fid-3D15097&d=DwIF-g&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=oHQ1tNFazGI80muwhI6htBFqwzhCnm2cudyD1lAkRL0&e= > has also made strides over the past calendar year and figures to receive significant playing time in left field early on.

PRESEASON ACCOLADES APPLENTY
Numerous Gators garnered recognition leading up to the 2022 season, beginning with a trio of preseason All-Americans in Barco (first team), Fabian (first team) and Thompson (third team). In particular, Barco received a consensus preseason All-America distinction, earning honors from every major publication. Barco and Fabian also received Preseason All-SEC First Team nods.

POSITIONAL STANDOUTS
A handful of Gators were ranked by D1Baseball as top players in the nation at their respective positions heading into the season: Barco (No. 7 starting pitcher), Halter (No. 9 second baseman), Fabian (No. 10 outfielder), Rivera (No. 16 shortstop), Guscette (No. 19 catcher), Thompson (No. 20 outfielder), Abner (No. 28 relief pitcher), Armstrong (No. 41 first baseman), Coppola (No. 65 starting pitcher), 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=vV8wf3jwyC-2QKXDKcH1u7XKGWkktWXwWUsfoLuXewM&e= > (No. 101 starting pitcher) and right-handed pitcher 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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=y8gcjBpYvhVg_yaWrS0notjVEU9TteZIdk_xJ2HOJeU&e= > (No. 104 starting pitcher).

DRAFT BUZZ
After being selected 40th overall in last year’s draft, 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. Barco follows closely behind at No. 54, while Thompson (No. 90) and Sproat (No. 98) fell just inside the top 100. The Gators’ middle infield duo of Halter and Rivera recently 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 Pogue, who was tabbed the conference’s No. 50 prospect.

ON DECK
Once the season-opening series between Florida and Liberty draws to a close, the Gators have a five-game slate on tap in week two. Florida visits Stetson on Tuesday, Feb. 22 before hosting North Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 23 in a pair of midweek tilts. Georgia State will then travel to Florida Ballpark for a three-game weekend series with the Gators from Feb. 25-27.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS ON GAME DAY
Those visiting Florida 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.

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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=fpITK2phaDYjvGxOrxsttsgm4D2fKWVitCrXswnH4gQ&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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=OfMpVDYddFShi3KkUnABMeVWzSRM5k0_rdjgQzfn6hM&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=f8bNZBFCWaKhD09swzccGA7BJ8svlhUoL7377wjsbPI2T6XdZdIUVAto78lNYCoE&s=mSf1MEeXg-hF6gPOo3j_HXp-Titsl7om_GD0z9uGuOc&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.

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