GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Catcher Nathan Hickey, outfielder Sterlin Thompson and outfielder Jacob Young were all named to the SEC All-Tournament Team on Sunday evening as a result of their performances across 13th-ranked Florida’s four games at the event.
With three Gators being named to the All-Tournament Team, Florida ranked second among all SEC programs. On top of having three players earn All-Tournament honors, Florida went home with a 3-1 record at the event and started 3-0 at the SEC Tournament for the first time in 21 years.
Leading all SEC third basemen with a .429 batting average and .643 slugging percentage at the tournament, Hickey finished with one home run, four runs scored and one RBI en route to going 6-for-14 at the plate. Hickey’s solo home run in round three against Alabama broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth, eventually becoming the game-winning RBI as Florida improved to 3-0. In round two versus No. 8 Mississippi State, Hickey collected three hits while leading the Gators with three runs scored.
Thomson slashed .375/.375/.688 while starting all four games in right field for Florida to secure the SEC All-Tournament Team accolade in the outfield. The freshman outfielder concluded the event with one home run, two doubles, five runs and five RBI. Powering Florida to a statement 13-1 win over No. 8 Mississippi State, Thompson drove in a career-high three runs while registering two extra-base hits and scoring two runs. In round three against Alabama, Thompson tied his career high in hits with a 3-for-4 day.
Among players with five or more at-bats, Young posted the tournament’s highest batting average with a .471 mark (8-for-17). The Gator left fielder also turned in a .474 on-base percentage, .882 slugging percentage, two home runs, one double, five RBI and four runs scored. Young recorded a hit in all four games for Florida at the Hoover Met, even racking up multiple knocks in three out of the four games.
No. 13 Florida now turns its attention to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, which begins in the form of NCAA Regionals from June 4-7. NCAA Regional host sites will be announced at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 30 while the complete Division I bracket and pairings will be announced at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, May 31.
2021 SEC All-Tournament Team
P: Kevin Kopps, Arkansas
P: Camden Sewell, Tennessee
C: Connor Pavolony, Tennessee
DH: Tim Elko, Ole Miss
1B: Luc Lipcius, Tennessee
2B: Max Ferguson, Tennessee
3B: Nathan Hickey, Florida
SS: Jalen Battles, Arkansas
OF: Jacob Young, Florida
OF: Sterlin Thompson, Florida
OF: Isaiah Thomas, Vanderbilt
Most Valuable Player: Jalen Battles, Arkansas
