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Jackson Castellano is the Baseball contributor for ChompTalk. He is a student at the University of Florida, studying sports media journalism. Contact Jackson Castellano at jaxcastellano@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter @jaxacastellano.
  • BSB: What’s next for Gators following series win over Arkansas

    BSB: What’s next for Gators following series win over Arkansas

    With a series win against the Arkansas Razorbacks behind them, the Florida Gators have the midweek off as it heads up to Columbia for a weekend matchup against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

    The win over the Hogs helped Florida stay on the right side of the tournament bubble this week. But anything less than a winning result against the weakest opponent the Gators have left this season will end any hopes of extending their 16-year playoff streak.

    Here’s three things to watch as Florida seeks a fourth-straight series win, and ideally a sweep, against the Gamecocks.

    Battle through the injury bug (again)

    Florida has been dealing with injuries all season. Sunday against Arkansas, the bug bit once again when Colby Shelton missed the series finale with a wrist injury he picked up the game prior. It was revealed this week that Shelton could be out for three weeks.

    Shelton is top in the top three for batting average, OPS and home runs among the Gators during conference play and provides a sure infield glove. Florida was able to pick up the win when his absence looked to be a one-off, but an entire weekend and beyond is different.

    If there was ever a good replacement, though, it’s usual third baseman Bobby Boser. He’s also near the top of almost every hitting statistic and went 3-for-5 with two RBIs replacing Shelton at shortstop last week.

    It’s important to note South Carolina is facing injury setbacks as well, as its best player Ethan Petry will miss the weekend with an AC joint injury.

    Clemente the closer

    Jake Clemente, after struggling to begin the year as a starter and being moved to the bullpen, has thrived. The sophomore currently holds the second lowest ERA among Gators pitchers with 10 or more innings pitched in SEC play.

    It’s also helped coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s approach to bullpen management. Instead of needing to force the issue with starters and keep them in games, he can feel comfortable pulling the ejector seat and heading to Clemente for high-leverage outs.

    Coppola on the mend

    For the first time since the third week of the season, left-handed Pierce Coppola is off of the injury report for the upcoming weekend series. Reports suggest that if Coppola is to pitch, which isn’t a guarantee by any means, it will be in a limited capacity.

    It’d be extremely helpful if Coppola can work his way into pitching meaningful innings again. But if anything, battling through the third major injury of his career and finishing the season healthy would be a victory on its own.

    First pitch against the Gamecocks is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN SEC Network+.

  • SB: Gators Fall To No. 1 Oklahoma in Extra Innings Thriller

    SB: Gators Fall To No. 1 Oklahoma in Extra Innings Thriller

    The Florida Gators gave No. 1 Oklahoma all they could handle until the ninth inning of Thursday’s series opener. Ultimately, Florida fell just short of pulling off the upset, dropping the contest 6-5 in an extra inning thriller.

    Oklahoma got the scoring started with Abigale Dayton’s RBI double on the thirteenth pitch of the at-bat in the top of the second inning. The Sooners added a run in the third on a Kasidi Pickering solo home run.

    The Gators, however, finally struck in the bottom of the third inning. Taylor Shumaker scored on an error at first that allowed Jocelyn Erickson to reach base. The next hitter, Reagan Walsh, singled up the middle to score Korbe Otis and tie the ballgame. A fielder’s choice put runners on the corners for the Gators with two outs and Mia Williams at the plate.

    With Kenleigh Cahalan at first and Erickson at third, OU pitcher Sam Landry spiked a ball that went all the way to the first base side of the backstop and allowed Erickson to score easily to put the Gators in front.

    Oklahoma had a scoring opportunity in the fourth, but an incredible defensive play by Mia Williams put that to bed. The Sooners had runners on first and third with one out. Sydney Barker attempted to steal second, the throw pulled Mia Williams towards first base and into a run down. As Williams chased Barker, Ailana Agbayani broke for home. Williams rifled a perfect strike to Erickson at the plate, who easily made the tag in time for the second out.

    The Sooners did even things on the top of the sixth, though. Ella Parker crushed a Rothrock riseball to right, well beyond the park’s fence.

    Following the leadoff homer, Rothrock hit a batter and walked two more to load the bases with one out. Tia Milloy and Hannah Coor hit back-to-back RBI singles to give Oklahoma a 5-3 lead.

    That lead lasted three batters into the bottom of the inning as Williams crushed her 18th homer of the year deep to straight-away center to tie things up, again. Williams recorded just 18 hits as a true freshman in 2024 but has hit at a .353 clip this season entering play Thursday.

    Florida had a chance to win the game in the seventh with runners on first and third with two outs but a groundout ended the threat and forced extra innings.

    Despite chances for both teams to win the game in the latter frames of the game, Oklahoma broke through in the top of the ninth. The Sooners loaded the bases without recording an out, but were limited to just one before Ava Brown was able to retire the side.

    Walsh finished the game 3-4 while Williams (2-3) and Shumaker (2-3) also reached with multiple base hits.

    In the circle, Rothrock tossed six innings while allowing five runs. She gave up nine hits and walked three while striking out three more. Brown took over in the seventh, played with fire each inning until getting burned in the ninth. Two Sooners reached base in both the seventh and eighth innings.

    Florida will face the Sooners Friday and Saturday to conclude the regular season before traveling to Athens, GA for the SEC Tournament that begins early next week.

  • BSB: Gators Rally Past No. 5 Arkansas To Claim Series

    BSB: Gators Rally Past No. 5 Arkansas To Claim Series

    Photo by John Byrum • Getty Images

    This weekend’s series against No. 5 Arkansas was incredibly important for Florida’s chances at advancing to the post-season. Despite a rocky start, the Gators proved resilient and claimed a 9-5 win to clinch the series victory.

    Florida starting pitcher Billy Barlow struggled with location and only lasted 1.1 innings. He allowed four earned runs and hit three batters despite throwing just 36 pitches.

    The Gators (30-16, 8-13) even managed to give Barlow a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Blake Cyr doubled down the line to score Luke Heyman.

    As has been the issue for much of the year, the rebound runs were allowed, yet again. The Razorbacks plated five runs in the top of the second to take a commanding lead.

    Over the next few innings, the Gators would chip away at the lead little by little. In the bottom of the second, Hayden Yost recorded an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 5-2. 

    Two innings later, Florida added a pair of runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Justin Nadeau and Bobby Boser.

    In the fifth inning, Brody Donay evened the score with a liner to right-center that was bobbled by the center-fielder allowing Cyr to score on the error.

    Florida added a couple more runs in the sixth. Yost scored on a Boser double down the left-field line to give the Gators the lead. Brendan Lawson followed by hitting a double to plate Boser and make it a 7-5 advantage.

    In the seventh, Ty Evans’ bat woke up as he cranked a solo homer to left-center to make it 8-5.

    Florida added one more insurance run in the bottom of the eighth as Boser scored on a Blake Cyr fielder’s choice.

    Boser finished the day 3-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Lawson was the only other Gators to record two hits (2-4) but Landon Stripling (2) and Evans (2) each scored multiple runs.

    On the mound, Florida received solid relief from their bullpen that allowed the team the opportunity to rally. Alex Philpott allowed one run in the second, but pitched another two innings of flawless ball. Luke McNeillie added 1.2 innings of scoreless relief before turning the ball over to Jake Clemente. Clemente completed his second three-inning save of the weekend.

    The Gators don’t play a midweek game this week as they take on South Carolina in Columbia this weekend for a Friday, Saturday, Sunday series. The Gamecocks entered Sunday with a 25-19 overall record but are just 5-15 in SEC play.

  • BSB: Peterson’s career-high grants Gators victory over Arkansas

    BSB: Peterson’s career-high grants Gators victory over Arkansas

    Photo by Samuel Lewis • Getty Images

    For the first time in nearly a month, if not more, fans at Condron Family Ballpark — and the players in the home dugout — showed signs of life.

    The cause? complete team performance against the toughest opponent left on the Florida Gators schedule. The result? A serious turning point for a playoff-desperate team that’s already getting hot.

    Florida (29-15, 7-12 SEC) RESULT No. 5 Arkansas (36-8, 13-6 SEC) 6-4 in the weekend opener. Gators ace Liam Peterson posted a career-high 13 strikeouts in a 114-pitch outing.

    “It was really fun.,” said Peterson. “That team is really good. To be able to do that and get a win, it’s a lot of fun to play on this team right now.”

    Arkansas leading slugger started things off with a bang for the Hogs. He turned on a 96 mph fastball and sent it 411 feet into right field for the opening run. Peterson would punch three outs to turn the initial inning over to Florida’s bats. Arkansas lefty Zach Root struck out the side to keep it 1-0 after the first.

    Peterson gave up a second bomb to start the second inning, this time an opposite field jack from Cam Kozeal. Florida went down in order through the bottom frame to keep it a 2-0 deficit.

    Second baseman Justin Nadeau legged a two-out single in the bottom third inning. Root sailed a pickoff attempt over Kozeal’s head and allowed the Jacksonville transfer to reach home safely after a mad dash around the bases. Florida couldn’t tack on another and trailed 2-1 through the opening third.

    Peterson fanned away the top fourth, tying his career high with 11 strikeouts. In the bottom frame, Florida’s bats woke up. A leadoff walk by Colby Shelton and a pair of singles from Brendan Lawson and Blake Cyr brought around the tying run. Root would load the bases on a pitch clock violation, but folded Ashton Wilson to break the jam.

    Arkansas opted to swap pitchers in the bottom fifth due to the Gators plating the leading run on a Lawson RBI single with one out in the bottom fifth. Luke Heyman, who’s been a force for the Gators in conference play, kept it rolling regardless. The catcher cleared the bases on a 3-run shot for the lead.

    “I was just sitting heater and got the pitch I was going to do damage to,” Heyman said.

    Peterson inherited a 6-2 leaded in the sixth. He punched out the side, recording a career-high 13th strikeout on the night. He’d go back out for the seventh 105 pitches into his outing. After walking the leadoff batter, Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan ended his night and brought in reliever Luke McNeillie.

    The righty picked up an out before giving up a 2-run bomb, prompting O’Sullivan to pull the plug in favor of former Sunday starter Jake Clemente. He got out of it, and the Gators led 6-4 into the bottom frame.

    Clemente returned to the hill for the ninth seeking a save. He got the job done, and set up the Gators to take a huge series win Saturday.

    “Everybody knows how important these games are down the stretch,” O’Sullivan said. “Long way to go in the weekend… but certainly, this one was a big one.”

    Florida takes on Arkansas at 3 p.m. Saturday on ESPN SEC Network.

  • Gators Land Commitment From Former Ohio Guard AJ Brown

    Gators Land Commitment From Former Ohio Guard AJ Brown

    Photo by Frank Jansky | Getty Images

    Following the departure of guard Denzel Aberdeen, Florida head coach Todd Golden was in need of another talented guard to play alongside incoming transfer Xaivian Lee. Thursday morning, Golden’s Gators gained the commitment of former Ohio Bobcat AJ Brown.

    Brown played in 29 games for the Bobcats in 2024-25, averaging 13.2 points while shooting 39% from three-point range.

    Brown is a 6’4, 190 lb guard from Orlando, FL and is the older brother of Florida’s Isaiah Brown.

    Brown was a three-star prospect out of Orlando Christian Prep in 2022. He was initially offered by Alabama, Clemson, and Penn State in addition to Ohio.

    Brown joins a backcourt that has seen a significant loss following the national championship win. Florida’s entire starting backcourt of Walter Clayton, Jr, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard have exhausted their eligibility and Denzel Aberdeen transferred to Kentucky.

  • BSB: Gators Claim Series Win at Mississippi State

    BSB: Gators Claim Series Win at Mississippi State

    Photo by Hailey Moore • ChompTalk

    The Florida Gators traveled to Starkville, to take on Mississippi State in a three game conference series over the weekend. Florida took games one and two to claim the series before dropping the finale Sunday.

    The Gators are now 27-15 overall and 6-12 in SEC play. The Bulldogs are tied in the SEC standings with Florida and are 24-16 overall. Both programs have four SEC series remaining before postseason play.

    Game One: Florida 13, Mississippi State 3 (8)

    The Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-1 lead through four innings with the Gators offense struggling besides a Brody Donay homer in the second inning to the short porch in right field. The offensive woes were put to bed for the night, however, as the Florida offense erupted for twelve runs over the final four innings.

    Luke Heyman’s three-run home run in the sixth capped a seven run inning that put Florida in control of the game, making it 9-3. Donay capped the game in the top of the eighth with his second blast of the night to put Florida in run-rule territory.

    In total, the Gators collected 17 hits with Donay (4-5), Colby Shelton (3-4), Brendan Lawson (2-4), Hayden Yost (2-4), Ashton Wilson (2-5), and Justin Nadeau (2-5) recording multiple hits.

    On the mound, Liam Peterson (W, 6-2) tossed a quality start with six innings of ball allowing just three runs. Peterson settled in after allowing two home runs in the first three innings. Billy Barlow and Caden McDonald each pitched an inning of scoreless baseball to close out the game.

    Game Two: Florida 11, Mississippi State 8

    Trailing 6-3 through six innings, the Gators struck for six runs in the top of the seventh en route to a 11-8 win while clinching the series for Florida.

    Brendan Lawson led the way for the Gators, finishing 2-5 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs. OF Blake Cyr went 2-5 with a double and 3 RBIs. Brody Donay (2-5) and Bobby Boser (2-4, 2 BB) also recorded multiple hits for the Gators.

    Aidan King pitched the first 4.1 innings, allowing six runs before turning it over to Alex Philpott (W, 3-3) and Clemente (S, 3), who recorded a three-inning save.

    Game Three: Mississippi State 14, Florida 8

    Despite jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a Colby Shelton home run, the Gators found themselves down 8-3 through four innings. In the fifth inning, Florida scored a pair of runs highlighted by Brody Donay’s opposite field blast to cut the lead to 8-5.

    After the Bulldogs got one back in the bottom of the fifth, the Gators responded with back-to-back homers by Ashton Wilson (two-run shot) and Justin Nadeau. Shelton was hit by a pitch and in scoring position to tie the game when freshman Brendan Lawson struck out to end the threat.

    All the momentum that Florida had seized in making it a one run game was quickly obliterated as MSU leadoff hitter Gehrig Frei hit a solo homer to right to extend the lead. The Bulldogs would add four more runs in the inning to shut the game down.

    Nadeau, Hayden Yost, Donay, Luke Heyman, and Lawson all recorded multiple hits for the Gators who collected 13 hits in total.

    On the mound, starter Luke McNeillie only lasted 2.2 innings while giving up seven earned runs. Jackson Barberi followed up with 2.1 innings allowing two runs (one earned). McCall Biemiller tossed a scoreless 1.2 innings before turning it over to Billy Barlow, who imploded in the eighth.

    …

    The Gators will return to Gainesville for a Tuesday contest against Georgia Southern. The Eagles are 23-17 overall but have won thier last two games. Florida then takes on Arkansas in a home series over the weekend.

  • SB: No. 7 Gators Win Thrilling Series vs No. 17 Alabama

    SB: No. 7 Gators Win Thrilling Series vs No. 17 Alabama

    Photo by Benjamin Fox • ChompTalk

    The Florida Gators improved to 11-7 in conference play by taking two out of three against No. 17 Alabama.

    Florida improved to 39-10 overall and 11-7 in SEC play. Alabama, meanwhile, dropped to 31-18 and 8-10 in league play.

    The Gators take on South Florida in midweek play before traveling to Baton Rouge to do battle against LSU in a Saturday, Sunday, Monday weekend series.

    Game One: Alabama 7, Florida 4

    Alabama kicked off the weekend with a seven run first inning that saw Keagon Rothrock (10-4) last just .2 inning and the Tide capitalize on an error at third base.

    The Gators managed to score a run in the bottom half of the inning and added to the scoreboard with a run in each of the third, fifth, and seventh, but ran out of at-bats to complete the comeback.

    Rothrock surrendered all seven runs, however, only two were earned. Olivia Miller (4.1 IP) and Kara Hammock (2 IP) completed the contest allowing just two hits the rest of the way.

    In the batter’s box, Kendra Falby went 2-2 with a pair of walks, an RBI and a run scored. Florida recorded just six hits for the game and Falby was the only one to get multiple hits.

    Game Two: Florida 12, Alabama 4 (5)

    Game two quickly became the “Taylor Shumaker Show” as the talented freshman opened the game with a massive home run in the bottom of the first to put Florida ahead. Shumaker would add a two-run double in the fourth inning that would make it a 7-4 ballgame. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, she hit a game-ending, three-run blast.

    Sophomore Ava Brown got the start in the circle and tossed 3.1 innings. She gave up four runs (3 earned) and struck out two. Katelyn Oxley (6-4) finished the remaining 1.2 innings, allowing just one base runner before the shortened game was complete.

    Shumaker ended the night 3-4 with two homers and 6 RBI. Senior Kendra Falby went 3-4 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. Reagan Walsh also recorded multiple hits, going 2-3 in the game.

    Game Three: Florida 4, Alabama 3

    In one of the most thrilling contests of the year, Florida clinched the series with a walk-off infield single by Korbe Otis that plated series hero Taylor Shumaker.

    Keagan Rothrock and Alabama’s Jocelyn Briski were engaged in a pitcher’s duel waiting for the other to blink first.

    While Rothrock was the first to surrender a run in the top of the sixth, the Gators weren’t going to go down silent. Following Kali Heivilin’s RBI double that put the Tide ahead 1-0, the Gators struck for two in the bottom of the frame highlighted by Mia Williams’ RBI double.

    In the seventh inning, Alabama plated a pair of runs to take a 3-2 advantage and set up the late heroics.

    Jocelyn Erickson’s RBI groundout tied the game at three one batter before Otis completed the comeback victory.

    Rothrock pitches 6.2 innings before relinquishing the circle to freshman Katelyn Oxley (7-4) for the final out.

    …

    Florida will take on South Florida in Gainesville Wednesday night. First pitch is slated for 6:00 PM. The Bulls are 36-12-1 on the season and just completed a sweep of conference mate Memphis. The Gators run-ruled USF in Tampa, 8-0, in February.

  • PG Denzel Aberdeen To Enter Transfer Portal

    PG Denzel Aberdeen To Enter Transfer Portal

    Photo by Grant Halverson • Getty Images

    Florida head coach Todd Golden has been busy working to put together next year’s team following the celebration of the 2025 national championship. That task may have become significantly more difficult Friday as reports indicate PG Denzel Aberdeen is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal. On3’s Joe Tipton was the first to report this breaking news.

    Aberdeen primarily served as a sixth man to one of the most talented backcourts in the nation. The Orlando, FL native set career highs with 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 2024-25.

    Aberdeen made his first career start against Vanderbilt as Walter Clayton, Jr. was out with an injury. He scored 13 points. He then started the next four games, due to an injury to Alijah Martin, and scored twenty-plus points in two of those games, including a career high 22 against South Carolina.

    Aberdeen is the third Gators player to jump into the transfer portal, joining Kajus Kublickas and Sam Alexis. Florida has already earned the commitment of former All-Ivy League selection Xaivian Lee and is on the market for at least one more guard.

  • Rueben Chinyelu Declares For NBA Draft; Maintains NCAA Eligibility

    Rueben Chinyelu Declares For NBA Draft; Maintains NCAA Eligibility

    Photo by Ezra Shaw • Getty Images

    Florida center Rueben Chinyelu announced Thursday he will declare for the 2025 NBA Draft. He will maintain his eligibility to return to Florida.

    Chinyelu has opted not to hire an agent so that he can return to Florida after being evaluated by NBA executives.

    “After careful consideration and discussion with my family, I am excited to announce that I will be declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility to return to the University of Florida.” Chinyelu stated in a message posted to his X account.

    The 6’11, 240 lb Nigeria native averaged 6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and nearly a block per game with the Gators. In a February contest at LSU, Chinyelu recorded a season high 19 points while adding 13 rebounds. In a January win over No. 1 Tennessee, he grabbed a season-high 15 boards. In total, he finished with four double-doubles

    The former Washington State big man is the second member of the national champion team to declare early, joining sophomore forward Alex Condon.

    The Gators are also losing their backcourt trio of Walter Clayton, Jr, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard, who have all exhausted their eligibility.

    Chinyelu will have to withdraw from draft consideration by June 15 to return to Gainesville for his junior campaign. The 2025 NBA Draft will be held June 25.

  • WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal I ft. No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, No. 7 Missouri, and No. 8 Alabama

    WGYM Liveblog: National Semifinal I ft. No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, No. 7 Missouri, and No. 8 Alabama

    Well, Gator fans? We made it! Nationals has arrived once again, and Florida has a strong case for making Four on the Floor, at the very least. We missed Regional Championships two weeks ago (sorry, I was moving!) so let’s do a little recap of how we got here and what we’d hope to see.

    It’s an all-SEC semifinal for this afternoon. Oklahoma and Missouri qualified at the Washington Regional, with the Sooners cruising to a regional final win with a massive 198.45 while Missouri duked it out with fellow Tigers of Auburn, qualifying just a tenth ahead of their conference-mates at a 197.425.

    For the Sooners, the only event where they counted more than one score below 9.9 was vault – they seem close to unstoppable right now, but they did last season, too, right before the meltdown. Jordan Bowers also scored a massive 39.9 AA, earning three 10.0s: vault, bars, and floor. She’ll be one to beat in the individual all-around competition.

    For Mizzou, vault and bars were both weaker events at Regionals. The Tigers counted no 9.9+ scores on vault and significantly underperformed on bars, given that they’re ranked No. 4 in the country, only counting one score above 9.9 from Mara Titarsolej. Making it to Nationals is their big accomplishment – anything past this point for them is icing on the cake.

    Florida and Alabama qualified at the Alabama Regional, scoring 197.7 and 197.675 respectively, in a hard-fought battle between the two of them and Cal – with the Golden Bears ultimately on the outside looking in.

    The Crimson Tide had a bit of a rollercoaster of a night, with a miss from Rachel Rybicki on floor and uncharacteristically low scores from Jamison Sears on vault and Ryan Fuller on bars. Still, they were able to rally at home – but it’s likely Fort Worth will not be as forgiving to anyone.

    And finally, the Gators. Beam was actually the biggest area of concern for Florida at Regionals, with only one score over 9.9 with what is traditionally a very strong beam team – No. 2 in the country, to be precise. A stronger leadoff score from Skylar Draser (just a 9.8 in regional finals) will be necessary to get things at Nationals off to a good start, since the Gators will start on beam in the first rotation. Also watch for little errors from Anya Pilgrim and Leanne Wong – both have been inconsistent on beam in recent weeks, so if they can be dialed in tonight, Florida could be off to the races quickly.

    If Florida can have a normal meet and hit 24 for 24 routines, it should be relatively straightforward to advance. Alabama and Missouri are good, but not that good in neutral territory with six judges on the panel.

    It all starts at 4:30pm ET on ESPN2 this afternoon, but if you’re stuck at work or can’t get to a TV, we’ll have all the action for you play by play right here! Here’s the rotation schedule, and live scores will be here. (The other semifinal later tonight will feature Michigan State, LSU, Utah, and UCLA – much more diverse conference-wise – and will be at 9pm ET tonight on ESPN2 for those who want to watch.)

    I’ll be logging in RIGHT at 4:30 today to start blogging, but I’m hearing Riley McCusker and Skye Blakely are both warming up beam in warmups right now… 👀

    4:34pm: I am here! And broadcasts are finally live! Let’s goooooooooo!

    4:37pm: Rotation 1!!

    Paradise, Bama VT: Y1.5, big hop forward.

    Sievers, OU UB: Good opening handstand work. Maloney to pak, some leg sep on both. Short on the last handstand maybe? Full in dismount, little step back.

    Draser, UF BB: Bhs loso, super steady, lands solid. Switch to switch half, maybe a little shy on that 180, some feet. Roundoff 1.5, single step forward. A good start.

    Light, MIZ FX: 1.5 to front lay, clean landing. Handspring to knee in the choreo, that’s fun. Double pike to finish, big lunge and a little slide of the front foot.

    German, VT: Y1.5, biiiig bound forward.

    Pederson, UB: Maloney to pak, again some minor leg sep. Last handstand looked alright. DLO is stuck cold!

    Pilgrim, BB: Candle mount is nice. Bhs loso, little hiccup with her feet but no bobble, no balance check. Full turn is clean. Cat leap to front aerial, locked in! Switch to split leap, beautiful – as I heard one of her teammates shout. Bhs gainer full stuck! Let’s go!

    Horton, FX: Full in to start, great amplitude and good control. Great straddle positions in her dance series! She feels like she’s holding back a little in her choreo? Front through to double tuck, BIG air but looks like she slid a little on the landing.

    4:45pm: Bunagan, VT: Y1.5, very clean, just a little hop to one side.

    Fatta, UB: Great opening handstand, pike Tkachev is clean. Pak seemed a little whippy. DLO, little hop.

    Nguyen, BB: Onodi to bhs, well connected and clean. Full turn is good. Switch to split, GORGEOUS extension, perfect toe point. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount, little hop forward.

    Tanskanen, FX: Double back to open, pretty clean. Dance series a little off kilter. 1.5 to front full, good control.

    Kvamme, VT: Y1.5, underrotated, stumbles back a bit.

    Wong, BB: Switch leap to split leap, gorgeous. Front aerial to split jump, so quick. Bhs loso, patient with it, doesn’t move a muscle. Gainer tuck full off the end, swims for it, but steps forward anyway, oof. Hardly any sticks for the Gators yet.

    Torrez, UB: Release is high, pak si clean. DLO, little bounce back.

    Gladieux, VT: Y1.5, big amplitude, little hop forward.

    Celestine, FX: Full in to start, great amplitude, well controlled and immediately moves out of it. Dive roll, that’s fun! Front through to double tuck, big lunge, but doesn’t move the front foot. Keeps her heel up to not go OOB either, great awareness.

    Harris-Miranda, BB: Bhs loso bhs, super clean. Switch to switch side, great positions. Roundoff 1.5, just FLOATS it down to the mat and sticks it. They needed that!

    Davis, UB: Blind change is clean. BIG Jaeger, wow. Great next handstand, pak is sooo clean. Good final handstand and blind change. Double front half out, little step.

    Hudson, VT: Y1.5, big hop forward.

    Griffin, FX: Double pike to open, great amplitude, good control. Front through to double tuck, really drops that in, very nice. Dance series is excellent too – their cleanest routine so far, I think.

    Arana, BB: Bhs loso, clean. Front aerial, super steady. Switch to switch half, little bobble maybe? Gainer full, single step.

    Bowers, UB: Blind change is very clean. Piked Jaeger is very clean. Pak, legs glued together. Final handstand is fine. Full in dismount, stuck.

    Wahl, UGA indiv VT: Y1.5, honestly better than almost any Alabama vault – big amplitude, little slide forward.

    Moore, FX: DLO to start, camera angle is impossible to tell if she moved her front foot or not. Great extension and positions on her dance series, her legs look so long! Front through to double tuck, DROPS it in, just the smallest of lunges and steps. So strong.

    Ulrich, Denver indiv UB: Maloney to pak, great amplitude, really flies! DLO, floats it, looks like she kinda bounced in place on the landing.

    Hooten, Minn indiv FX: She’s doing her sophomore year routine as an encore for her entire career – this is so special, y’all! Full in, nearly stuck it, just the smallest of lunges. Front full to front pike, not a deduction in sight. Double tuck to finish, excellent control on her landing. Finishes with her dance series, switch side to wolf full – I’d call that close to perfection. 9.8875??? Robbed.

    AFTER ONE: OU 49.4, UF 49.3, MIZ 49.225, BAMA 49.125

    5:11pm: Rotation 2!

    Griffin, Miz VT: Yfull, little hop.

    Gladieux, Bama UB: We didn’t see her release, but had to have been good, to overshoot, fine. Little hop on the dismount.

    Davis, OU BB: Fun planche oversplit mount. Bhs loso, very steady. Beat to ring jump. Roundoff double full, little step forward.

    Nguyen, UF FX: Immediately bringing the drama staring into the camera. Front double full, legs a little crossy, to sissone, clean. Switch ring to switch half, just gorgeous. 1.5 to front lay, super well controlled into the arabesque. Y turn is lovely. She’s suuuuch a good leadoff for this floor team.

    Tanskanen, VT: Tsuk full, just a little hop back. Pretty clean in the air.

    Hudson, UB: BIG leg sep on her Maloney, bail is fine. Short on final handstand. Full in, swims for it but steps forward.

    5:15pm: Fatta, BB: Bhs loso, maybe a little lean but overall solid. Side aerial is clean. Hitchkick to switch side, good extension, some feet. Switch to split, maybe a little tight on the 180s. Sticks her gainer full.

    Disidore, FX: Rudi to stag, controls the jump and flight well. Dance series is clean. 1.5 to front lay, well controlled step out of it into the arabesque. Another hit, we’ll take it.

    Tisler, VT: Yfull, stuck! Wow! Not huge amplitude or anything but still should be a great score.

    Pederson, OU: Series is solid. Switch to switch side, that’s clean. Side somi and she’s off!! Oh boy! Unusual for OU… is this a flashback to last year? Roundoff double full is stuck but they’ll need to drop that.

    Walker, UB: Almost goes over the wrong way on her opening handstand! Pak is clean. Maloney to inbar Gienger, legs are pretty clean through both. Stuck dismount!

    Ferris, FX: Full in, a little bouncy on the lunge but not wild. Dance series is relatively clean. 1.5 to front lay, good we’ve figured that out. That had a few hiccups at SECs, good to see it looking normal again.

    Horton, VT: Sits her Y1.5! Oh no! They’ll need to drop that one and count the 9.775 from Griffin instead.

    Bowers, BB: Great low beam choreo starting for her. Full turn is clean. Bhs loso, very steady. Switch to switch leap, good extension but maybe a little tight on that second split. Roundoff double full is stuck! They needed that reset.

    LaCoursiere, UB: Maloney to pak, legs just pasted together. Drops her full in dismount in like a dart – that’ll be a big score for Bama.

    Wong, FX: C’mon, CEO! DLO to start… and ends up OOB, looked like something was funky in her set on her back handspring. Her chest was too far forward. Whip half to front full, much cleaner.

    Moore, VT: Y1.5, little stutter step front. That should be good, but not great.

    Wells, BB: Big lean on her side aerial to open. Bhs – breaks the connection… repeats, hits bhs loso. Roundoff 1.5 – she didn’t fall, but it wasn’t good.

    Fuller, UB: Looked maybe a little shaky on her releases but made it through with no major errors – was paying more attention to Wells.

    Harris-Miranda, FX: Front through to double tuck, super well controlled. Dance series is super clean. Really slaying this choreo section. 1.5 to front half to stag to knee, great form through her twisting. A great reset after Wong’s 9.6625.

    Celestine, VT: Y1.5, great amplitude but a big step forward.

    Paradise, UB: Great releases. Good final handstand. DLO – little hop.

    Torrez, BB: Wolf jump is so clean off the top. Acro series is super steady. Dance series – some feet, but 180 positions are good. Sticks her dismount!

    Clark, FX: HUGE straddle jump to start her off. DLO, AMAZING amplitude, foot is right on the line but doesn’t go over. Really playing to the crowd in this choreo section. Great dance series, well rotated and well past 180. Front through to double tuck, was a little short but popped it up quickly. Gator chomp to close – this should drop Wong’s score.

    Casali, Denver indiv VT: Y1.5, little step back.

    Greaves, Aub indiv UB: Maloney to pak, fine, to van Leeuwen some significant leg sep. Some short handstands there too. Step on the landing – she’s just happy to be here, I guess.

    McDonough, Wash indiv FX: Rudi to loso, looked OOB for sure. Dance series is well extended but feels slow. Front double full – and missed her punch, sits it down, feet out from under her. That’s toooough.

    AT THE HALF: OU 98.75, UF 98.65, MIZ 98.35, BAMA 98.2875

    5:45pm: Rotation 3!

    Pilgrim, UF VT: Y1.5, her knees just buckled underneath her! Oh no! Takes a big step forward – knees didn’t touch though, so that’s good.

    LaCoursiere, Bama BB: Dance series is clean to start. Front aerial to bhs, clean. Full turn is alright. Roundoff 1.5 stuck!

    Burns, Miz UB: Short handstand to start. Jaeger is a little slow but clean, to overshoot, okay. Last handstand better. DLO gets no distance but sticks it.

    Davis, OU FX: Front double full, good control into her little kick choreo there. Three-element dance series, pretty clean, some feet which is unusual for her. 1.5 to front lay, takes it all the way to the line.

    Bui, VT: Y1.5, hop forward. Some knees in the air it looked like.

    Kvamme, BB: Series is solid. Switch to split, definitely short of 180 on one of those. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount, little hop forward.

    Horton, UB: Shaposh to pak, pretty clean. Great handstand. DLO is stuck! A good recovery after her miss on vault.

    Nguyen, VT: Y1.5, big step forward.

    Sievers, FX: Double pike, pretty textbook. Front thorugh to double tuck, gets that tumbling out of the way reallll quick – the rest of this routine is her choreo now that she’s past the dance series, which was clean.

    Ladanyi, BB: Fun mount! Front aerial to split jump, good extension. Full turn, fine. Bhs loso, really steady. Switch to split, great toe point. She’s the daughter of former Florida AC Robert Ladanyi. Bhs gainer full off the side, stuck!

    Moore, UB: Great opening handstand work. Tkachev to overshoot, big amplitude. Short a little on the last handstand. Full in dismount, little foot adjustment on the landing.

    Ferris, VT: Y1.5, STUCK COLD LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Mueller, FX: Front through to double tuck, pops it out into a quick lunge in place. Front lay to Rudi, very clean. Dance series was well extended.

    Hudson, BB: Front aerial to bhs, little bobble in the middle but I don’t think she broke it. Switch to switch, a little tight on the second split. Side aerial, hit. Little hop on her dismount.

    Wong, VT: Yhalf-on, pike half off – great in the air, but a decent slide back.

    Kelly, UB: Gorgeous opening handstands. HUGE piked Tkachev to overshoot, wow. Stalder to double tuck dismount, stuck. An efficient, clean routine, good for her.

    Gladieux, BB: Apparently clipped her toe on bars?? Yikes. Bhs 2ft layout, solid. Full turn is clean. Switch to split, maybe a little shy of 180? Sticks her dismount though!

    Fatta, FX: Front double full to stag, very quick and clean. Front through to back double full, something funky on the landing there but I couldn’t tell quite what. Switch through to switch side straddle 1/2, clean positions throughout.

    Harris-Miranda, VT: Y1.5, tried too hard for the stick and had to take a step back, but kept it small and stays on her feet.

    Adams, BB: Double wolf, very clean. Front aerial, big check. Bhs loso, clean. Dance series looks good. Bhs gainer full off the side, little step.

    6:00pm: Celestine, UB: Good opening handstand. Maloney to pak, very whippy on the pak but Maloney was clean. Short on last handstand maybe? Toe on pike half dismount, looked stuck from here!

    Bowers, FX: Double full to punch front, well controlled. Double pike, pretty textbook honestly. Dance passage is really nice, well-extended and great 180s.

    Titarsolej, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean. Short on last handstand though. Pirouette is clean, dismount stuck!

    Torrez, FX: DLO just goes skyyyyhigh, wow. Front though to double tuck, just the slightest of bounces on the landing. Dance passage to close is nice.

    Mundell, Denver indiv UB: Ray to start, clean. Gorgeous handstand work. Bail is clean. Short on final handstand. DLO is stuck!

    Ulrich, Denver indiv FX: DLO, two foot stick! Chest a little low, but still. 1.5 to front lay, very floaty, well controlled. I can see Mundell doing her choreo with her behind on the bars podium, that’s adorable. Double pike to close – maybe a little short, tries to mask it as a stick but not as convincing.

    AFTER THREE: OU 148.275, MIZ 147.8, UF 147.725, BAMA 147.4875

    Apparently this was Florida’s lowest vault score in five years? Hate that…

    Missouri goes to beam now, and Florida goes to bars… the great equalizer vs. the loosest scoring event consistently in this meet. Let’s cross our fingers this goes how it statistically should.

    6:19pm: Okay, last one, here we gooo….

    Pederson, OU VT: Y1.5, just a little hop.

    Pilgrim, UF UB: Pak salto is clean. Handstand work on the low bar is good. van Leeuwen is good, fingertip catch. Just a little hop on the full in dismount.

    Wier, Miz BB: Front aerial, patient with it. Bhs loso, steady. A little tight on dance series. Sticks her dismount though.

    LaCoursiere, Bama FX: Double tuck is soooo high, very nice. Front lay to Rudi, very clean. Dance series is solid, good straddle positions. Front lay to front full, second element rises, we love to see that.

    Torrez, VT: Y1.5, hop forward. Clenched her toes really hard, wonder if that helps her land better.

    Blakely, UB: Ricna to pak, excellent, well connected. Good final handstand. Late on the pirouette. Double front half out – something happened with her ankle there, hopefully just a tweak or a sting, nothing concerning.

    Celestine, BB: Side aerial to front aerial, that’s fun. Punch front, solid. Dance series is aggressive and clean. Gainer full off the side looks stuck – maybe a slight adjustment.

    Adams, FX: Double pike to open, biiiig slide back but stays in bounds. Switch half to wolf full, good positions and well rotated. 1.5 to front lay, great control. Some tears as she walks off – this is likely her last routine! What a career she’s had.

    Wells, VT: Y1.5, little step to the side to steady herself.

    Jackson, BB: Front aerial to bhs, pretty clean. Switch half to beat jump, good connection. Full turn to a kick to another beat jump, that’s kinda fun. Gainer pike off the end, little step back.

    Wong, UB: Maloney to pak, some leg sep there but minor. van Leeuwen is cleaner. Great final handstand. DLO stuck cold!!

    Sears, FX: DLO to open, buckles a little on the landing, hope she didn’t sting her ankles too bad. Split full down to one knee, that’s fun. Front through to double tuck, super high, big lunge but doesn’t move her front foot. Redeemed herself after a miss at regional finals.

    Fatta, VT: Y1.5, little scooch back but a great one.

    Lawrence, BB: Full turn off the top to start. Bhs loso, maybe a little lean but masks well. Dance series is clean, lovely Y leg hold. Roundoff 1.5 is stuck.

    Harris-Miranda, UB: Good opening handstand. Tkachev is strong. Bail is clean. Good final handstand. DLO, tried to hold the stick but had to hop forward.

    6:30pm: Walker, FX: Double pike to open, very strong. Really selling this choreography section, I love the drama here. Combination pass to switch split in the air, that’s fun.

    Mueller, VT: Y1.5, deep knee bend, one foot adjustment.

    Kelly, BB: Front aerial to bhs, solid series. Dance series looks alright. Side aerial clean, but wolf turn looked very unsteady. Sticks her dismount.

    Arana, UB: Maloney to pak, some big leg sep there. DLO stuck! We’ll take that.

    Bowers, VT: Y1.5, single step forward, very small. A strong night for her.

    Hudson, FX: Just taking this one for posterity since it’s her last routine of her career. Great hit passes – hits what looked like a triple twist for her last pass?? Incredible.

    Hu, BB: Gorgeous handstand scale mount. Front aerial to front aerial, very clean, so patient. Split to straddle 3/4, well extended, great positions. Another great handstand sequence, really showing the flexibility. Gainer pike off the end is stuck.

    McCusker, UB: Great opening handstand. Maloney to pak both super clean. van Leeuwen is solid. Stald er to double tuck, just a little shift back. Can she do it?? Commentators saying she needs a 9.9625… I’m not sure that math is right, but she didn’t get it. She’s a tenth short.

    FINAL: OU 197.55, MIZ 197.3, UF 197.2, BAMA 196.825

    ADVANCING: OU, MIZZOU

    I’m… honestly pretty in shock. I can’t believe it ends like that. Honestly, vault was the only unusual event – everything else was relatively normal. It was one tenth. That’s the difference between Wong going OOB or not, Harris-Miranda trying to stick her vault and ending up short, one stuck landing anywhere. That’s like nothing. I’m upset.

    But I guess that’s all she wrote. Thanks for being here with me through this rollercoaster of a season, y’all. If you watch the night session or finals tomorrow, enjoy, and as always, go Gators.