2023 Baseball & Softball Thread

[ocalaman]

Texas Tech finished 6th in the 9 team Big 12, 12-12 in the conference. No excuse for the #2 team in the nation & SEC co-champs to play like they have the last 2 days. Now gotta win 3 in a row to keep our season alive. Possible, but gonna be really hard considering the hitting slump the team is in combined with our lack of pitching depth.

The Box Score: Gator offense falls short in 5-4 loss to Red Raiders

The Gators are 45-14 overall entering play on Saturday night

247sports.com

 

[bradleygator]

Texas Tech finished 6th in the 9 team Big 12, 12-12 in the conference. No excuse for the #2 team in the nation & SEC co-champs to play like they have the last 2 days. Now gotta win 3 in a row to keep our season alive. Possible, but gonna be really hard considering the hitting slump the team is in combined with our lack of pitching depth.

The Box Score: Gator offense falls short in 5-4 loss to Red Raiders

The Gators are 45-14 overall entering play on Saturday night

247sports.com

Yeah we should have hung 10 on these guys. Lineup just disappeared.

 

[Countygator1]

Big 12 is a really good baseball conference. Tech dealt with some injuries early on and played fairly consistent toward the backend of the season. They are a very good team. But yes, no excuse for not winning. We missed some opportunities. I would get Cade out of the leadoff spot to ease some pressure, maybe Rivera in the leadoff. I would also consider sitting Robinson. He's amazing defensively but he's barely hitting .200. Get another bat into the lineup.

 

[ocalaman]

The SEC & ACC are the 2 premier baseball conferences, with the Big 12 & Pac 12 running third and 4th. That's based on conference RPI, plus non-conference records, it's been that way for a good many years. And the Red Raiders finished 6th in their 9 team league. Florida won the 14 team SEC, hands down the best conference in D1. Down the stretch, Texas Tech lost 2 out of 3 to Kansas State, won 2 of 3 from Sam Houston St., beat Abilene Christian twice, lost 2 of 3 to West Virginia, beat Kansas 2 of 3 and went 2-2 in the Big 12 tournament. 10-8 in their last 18 (6-7 in conference games) against a pretty average schedule going into the NCAA Tournament. No way should we have lost a crucial game to them.
In the post season, it's about which teams go hot or cold. All the teams in the tournament are good and those who make it to the CWS and eventually win it are those who hit a stretch of playing at or near their best when it counts the most. Pitching rises to the occasion, 2 out hits drive in key runs, surprise contributions come from guys who may not have done a whole lot during the regular season and the stars play up to their potential. Florida has slumped of late in the post season, having lost in their own Regional in 2021, 2022 and are on the verge of flaming out in 2023. This Gator roster is as talented as any in the country, but have hit a slump at exactly the wrong time. They can, of course, win 3 in a row and have done it many times this year. But they sure have backed themselves into a corner.

 

[Nicktheslick]

The gator bats are In cold storage.

 

[goldmom]

The gator bats are In cold storage.

They must have picked the lock and thawed them out.

 

[ocalaman]

GAINESVILLE REGIONAL: Florida 8, UConn 2 — Waldrep Sharp, Caglianone Bombs Huskies - Florida Gators

The UF baseball team beat Connecticut on Sunday afternoon in the Gainesville Regional to set up a rematch against Texas Tech on Sunday night.

floridagators.com

Except for Caglionone, the team didn't swing the bats that great this afternoon. But Hurston Waldrep was excellent and Nic Fic closed it out. So one down, 2 to go. The question is, Who takes the mound for the Gators tonight? Bats got to come alive up and down the lineup because we've used up our 3 primary starters and will be relying on guys who aren't used to being in the position of pitching a big game vs. a quality opponent. Need some unsung heroes to step up! Go Gators!!

 

[bradleygator]

Anyone hear when the game might resume?

 

[bradleygator]

Langford robbed. Guy stuck his glove out and the ball hit it.

 

[NavigatorII]

The SEC Network sucks tranny balls. One of their channels is broadcasting Texas and Miami, the other one is showing frigging football reruns. Eff them.

 

[Nicktheslick]

Cade Fisher is lights out.

 

[PacoGator19]

Let’s be honest. Baseball is a bit of a crap shoot the way that they structure these regionals and super regionals. The margin of error is pretty slim IMO. Sometimes all it takes is a hitter or two to get hot or a pitcher or 2 to pitch above their heads. IMO baseball can be a very frustrating sport. And FWIW I think Miami and Vandy have been eliminated.

 

[NavigatorII]

The SEC Network sucks tranny balls. One of their channels is broadcasting Texas and Miami, the other one is showing frigging football reruns. Eff them.

I'd just like to reiterate if you have a cable package with SEC Network and they don't include ESPN +, you are effed when it comes to Gator sports. Eff them.

 

[ocalaman]

Gators beat Texas Tech 7-1 and will play a winner take all game sometime Monday. Freshman Cade Fisher was awesome, throwing 7 innings and only giving up 3 hits until he tired and gave up 2 more to start the 8th. Brandon Neely got the last 6 outs to cinch the win. No walks today. UF scored 4 in the 6th and 3 in the 9th, helped by a couple of Red Raider errors. Come out focused tomorrow and move on to host South Carolina in the Supers.

 

[ocalaman]

GAINESVILLE REGIONAL: Gators 7, Texas Tech 1 — Fisher Shines to Keep Gators Alive - Florida Gators

The Gators capped a long day by defeating Texas Tech on Sunday night to force a winner-take-all rematch against the Red Raiders on Monday afternoon at Condron Ballpark.

floridagators.com

 

[ocalaman]

I'd just like to reiterate if you have a cable package with SEC Network and they don't include ESPN +, you are effed when it comes to Gator sports. Eff them.

It's not the fault of the SEC Network. Disney/Hearst owns all of those stations - all the ESPN channels, SECN. ACCN, BIG10N. They are getting ready to go streaming only on all of it and are trying to condition people to realize they are going to have to pay to watch sports. ESPN+ is part of the Disney package and they are moving more and more games there so we have to pay extra to watch. Doesn't matter whether we like it or not. Cable and satellite are being pushed aside and paid streaming is the future. Reality.

 

[Countygator1]

What an incredible performance by Cade. Ton's of pressure and that guy flat out dominated for 7 innings. We had much better at bats tonight. No clue who will take the bump tomorrow, but Tech is in a tough pitching spot too. Need to probably score 8 runs or so to get the W.

 

[ocalaman]

Today's game is at Noon on ESPNU. Need an unsung pitcher(s) to step up big time today. This is our 5th game in the Regional, Texas Tech's 4th, so our bats need to come alive.

 

[Countygator1]

Today's game is at Noon on ESPNU. Need an unsung pitcher(s) to step up big time today. This is our 5th game in the Regional, Texas Tech's 4th, so our bats need to come alive.

Tech pitching not very deep either outside of the #1 and closer. They will be scrambling a bit today as well. But regardless we will need some serious run production

 

[goldmom]

It's not the fault of the SEC Network. Disney/Hearst owns all of those stations - all the ESPN channels, SECN. ACCN, BIG10N. They are getting ready to go streaming only on all of it and are trying to condition people to realize they are going to have to pay to watch sports. ESPN+ is part of the Disney package and they are moving more and more games there so we have to pay extra to watch. Doesn't matter whether we like it or not. Cable and satellite are being pushed aside and paid streaming is the future. Reality.

If you get those networks via your cable provider you’re already paying for them. And ESPN is the largest portion of your cable bill already (per the WSJ)
But many folks are going somewhere else like YT or Roku or wherever and Disney needs that revenue - so they see streaming as the future. The fact is that they’re probably right.
TV contracts and conference realignment are at a critical juncture. Stay tuned. 🤔

 

[bradleygator]

Offense looking a little sleepy early.

 

[Countygator1]

Huge mistake by Sully to leave the Freshman in the leadoff spot. He keeps coming to the plate with runners on and doing nothing. Been that way all weekend. Needed to move him down and take some pressure off.

 

[Countygator1]

Just pound the zone. Goodness.

 

[GatorGray]

Just pound the zone. Goodness.

I know I've heard these words somewhere before...seems like it was a female voice, though.

 

[bradleygator]

Great job by these guys. Not easy to come out of the losers bracket. Pitching was great all weekend. These young guys are figuring out how to put up zeroes.

 

[PacoGator19]

And that is why baseball can be so unpredictable, unforgiving and frustrating. Just yesterday everybody had us pegged as being out and TT through.

 

[GatorGray]

And that is why baseball can be so unpredictable, unforgiving and frustrating. Just yesterday everybody had us pegged as being out and TT through.

Everybody? I honestly didn't read anyone writing that, hear anyone saying that and don't know of anyone saying that. Uphill battle? Sure. It always is when coming out of the losers bracket because there is no room for error. But anyone who knows much about college baseball knew Florida's pitching staff is MUCH deeper than TT's and that bore out in the end. Heck, we probably would have run-ruled them yesterday if not for the wind. As it was, we still scored seven on them.

 

[bradleygator]

Statistically speaking, you’re just unlikely to win three in a row against good competition. If you’re a 2/1 favorite in each game, you’re 29 percent to win 3 in a row.

Pitching depth and defense have kind of been our issue all year, so credit to Sully and these kids to be lights out in both areas in the regional. I also loved to see us being heads up on the base paths and swiping extra bases.

 

[Jeff from Jax]

Super regionals​

Best of three series

Friday-Sunday, June 9-11 or Saturday-Monday, June 10-12

No. 1 Wake Forest vs. No. 16 Alabama
Texas vs. Stanford Regional winner
Baton Rouge Regional winner vs. Lexington Regional winner
Auburn Regional winner vs. Tennessee
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 15 South Carolina
Conway Regional winner vs. No. 7 Virginia
Oregon vs. Oral Roberts
No. 14 Indiana State vs. Fayetteville Regional winner

https://www.espn.com/college-sports...23-mcws-ncaa-tournament-watch-schedule-scores

 

[ocalaman]

The last 3 days, this team matured a lot, IMO. They got great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting and won all 3 games fairly easily. Slater gave them a quality start today and Riopelle got his only hits of the regional - 2, 2-rin HR's. Bring on the Gamecocks!!

GAINESVILLE REGIONAL: Gators 6, Texas Tech 0 — UF Completes Comeback, Movin' on to Super Regional - Florida Gators

The Gators rallied for three consecutive do-or-die wins to claim the Gainesville Regional championship with a victory Monday over Texas Tech.

floridagators.com

 

[bradleygator]

USC is a tough draw. They’re getting healthy and are playing like the team that swept us 6 weeks ago. We’ve learned a few new tricks as well and will be at home, so should be interesting.

 

[Countygator1]

USC is a tough draw. They’re getting healthy and are playing like the team that swept us 6 weeks ago. We’ve learned a few new tricks as well and will be at home, so should be interesting.

Really good team that seems to have our number recently. But on the other hand we just came out of a tough regional. SC regional was not super tough so hard to say how hot they are.

 

[Countygator1]

The last 3 days, this team matured a lot, IMO. They got great pitching, solid defense and timely hitting and won all 3 games fairly easily. Slater gave them a quality start today and Riopelle got his only hits of the regional - 2, 2-rin HR's. Bring on the Gamecocks!!

GAINESVILLE REGIONAL: Gators 6, Texas Tech 0 — UF Completes Comeback, Movin' on to Super Regional - Florida Gators

The Gators rallied for three consecutive do-or-die wins to claim the Gainesville Regional championship with a victory Monday over Texas Tech.

floridagators.com

If we pitch like we did this weekend we have a great shot to get back to Omaha. Interesting how it was the booming bats that have carried us most of the year and now the pitching shows up. Imagine if we can put both together??

 

[ocalaman]

Resilient Gators Have That Refreshed Feeling - Florida Gators

The Gators were down but never counted out in the Gainesville Regional in part to a string of strong outings from their starting pitchers.

floridagators.com

 

[Jeff from Jax]

NCAA 2023 baseball Super Regionals - 6 SEC Teams Advance​

After a thrilling weekend of play and upsets, all the spots in the super regionals have been secured with No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 2 Florida, No. 5 LSU, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 Stanford No. 12 Kentucky, No. 14 Indiana State, No. 15 South Carolina, No. 16 Alabama, Duke, Texas, Tennessee, TCU, Southern Miss, Oregon and Oral Roberts all advancing.

Notable top seeds ousted from the tournament include No. 3 Arkansas, No. 4 Clemson and No. 6 Vanderbilt.

Texas (soon to be an SEC school) has been running Coast-to-Coast - Good Frequent Flyer Miles or Charter ?
Last weekend - Miami, Florida -
This weekend - Stanford, California

Gainesville Super Regional (Gainesville, Florida)
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 15 South Carolina

Best of three series; all times ET

Game 1: Friday June 9; 6 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday June 10; 3 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 3 (if necessary): Sunday June 11; time TBD

https://www.espn.com/college-sports...23-mcws-ncaa-tournament-watch-schedule-scores

 

[KingofHedgehogs]

NCAA 2023 baseball Super Regionals - 6 SEC Teams Advance​

After a thrilling weekend of play and upsets, all the spots in the super regionals have been secured with No. 1 Wake Forest, No. 2 Florida, No. 5 LSU, No. 7 Virginia, No. 8 Stanford No. 12 Kentucky, No. 14 Indiana State, No. 15 South Carolina, No. 16 Alabama, Duke, Texas, Tennessee, TCU, Southern Miss, Oregon and Oral Roberts all advancing.

Notable top seeds ousted from the tournament include No. 3 Arkansas, No. 4 Clemson and No. 6 Vanderbilt.

Texas (soon to be an SEC school) has been running Coast-to-Coast - Good Frequent Flyer Miles or Charter ?
Last weekend - Miami, Florida -
This weekend - Stanford, California

Gainesville Super Regional (Gainesville, Florida)
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 15 South Carolina

Best of three series; all times ET

Game 1: Friday June 9; 6 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday June 10; 3 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 3 (if necessary): Sunday June 11; time TBD

https://www.espn.com/college-sports...23-mcws-ncaa-tournament-watch-schedule-scores

Besides usc sweeping UF earlier, and for what's at stake, I hope UF wins in 2 due to the usc fans simping in Texas Tech message boards earlier.

 

[ocalaman]

Here's the 2023 NCAA Baseball Super Regionals opening round schedule

Here’s what’s on tap this weekend for college baseball’s super regionals.

gatorswire.usatoday.com

 

[ocalaman]

Caglianone Voted Golden Spikes Award Finalist - Florida Gators

Jac Caglianone is the sixth Gator to become a Golden Spikes Award Finalist and the first since Brady Singer in 2018.

floridagators.com

Kurland Awarded Freshman All-American Status - Florida Gators

Florida has produced a Freshman All-American in three out of the last four seasons.

floridagators.com

 

[bradleygator]

This is just going to be a war. We’re either up for it or we aren’t. But that’s what they are going to be bringing.

 

[GatorGray]

Besides usc sweeping UF earlier, and for what's at stake, I hope UF wins in 2 due to the usc fans simping in Texas Tech message boards earlier.

They seem to be quite an insecure bunch. I get it why they would be overall, but they have been respectable in baseball, so there is really no need for it.