Florida has fared well against Miami under head coach Kevin O'Sullivan.
Photo By: Tim Casey
Thursday, February 20, 2020
No. 2 Gators Face No. 1 Miami in Sold Out Series
The nation's top two teams will square off in Coral Gables, Fla., this weekend, as the Gators look to maintain their hold on this in-state rivalry.
GAINESVILLE, Fla.- Florida Baseball is off to a 5-0 start and hits the road to face top-ranked Miami in a No. 1-versus-No. 2 series. The Gators are coming off a three-game sweep of Marshall opening weekend, then consecutive wins over Jacksonville in a home-away midweek series.
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Florida won last year's series against Miami, 2-1, in Gainesville.
All three games this weekend are sold out and will stream live on ACC Network Extra, via the ESPN app.
PITCHING MATCHUPS
|
Friday | 7 p.m. (ACC Network Extra) |
Saturday | 7 p.m. (ACC Network Extra) |
Sunday | 1 p.m. (ACC Network Extra) |
| Florida |
RHPÂ Tommy Mace (1-0) |
RHPÂ Jack Leftwich (1-0) |
TBA |
| Miami |
RHP Brian Van Belle (1-0) |
RHP Chris McMahon (1-0) |
RHP Slade Cecconi (1-0) |
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SERIES HISTORY
- Overall: Miami leads, 130-124-1
- At Miami: Miami leads, 80-46
- Under Kevin O'Sullivan (since 2008): Florida leads, 31-13
- Vs. Top-10 Miami Teams under O'Sullivan: Florida leads, 7-1
- Recent History: Florida has won each of the last five regular-season series, and 12 of the last 15 games
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BASE HITS (Full Game Notes)
- Gators Swinging Hot Bats: Florida's 51 runs through five games are the third-highest total in O'Sullivan's tenure, behind only the 2008 Gators (58) and 2015 Gators (54). UF also opened the season with 34 runs on 34 hits in its three-game series with Marshall. Florida did not score 30-plus runs in any of its three-game series last year.
- Gainesville Sluggers: Florida posted a .606 slugging percentage opening weekend, which ranked tied for 10th nationally and led the SEC entering this week. The Gators also entered the week tied for 26th nationally in team batting average (.327).
- Opening Strong: Florida has won its first five games for the eighth time under O'Sullivan. The Gators can start 6-0 for just the fourth time in his tenure, 7-0 for only the third time in his tenure, or could go to 8-0 for the first time in his 13 seasons.
