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BSB: Florida is no longer winless in the SEC. What’s next?

March 29, 2025

Photo by James Gilbert | Getty Images

After Florida baseball threw away game one of its doubleheader against No. 15 Ole Miss last night, just like it had against Florida State in the midweek, few would’ve expected the Gators to collect their first conference win of the year before the weekend’s end.

But with an 11-8 comeback victory in the series finale, the worst conference skid of the Kevin O’Sullivan era is over — but Florida is far from where it wants to be. Falling out of the D1Baseball Top 25 and dropping to No. 33 in the RPI, the Gators are on the wrong side of the postseason bubble at the moment.

“I think that everybody is a bit frustrated at this point, but we did battle,” O’Sullivan said.

Here’s what the Gators need to do to continue picking up conference wins and build a playoff resume:

Healthy hurlers

Liam Peterson’s return in game one Saturday was a huge boost for the Gators, even with the bullpen collapse after his day was over. Florida’s ace tossed 4.1 innings, letting up five runs and striking out six. It’s far from his best outing ever, but having Peterson back after he missed time with elbow soreness is a big boost.

The next step is Pierce Coppola. The left-hander hasn’t thrown since March 1 against Miami when he was pulled early on by O’Sullivan and a trainer. He’s supposedly been throwing again, but O’Sullivan hasn’t updated his condition in some time.

If Coppola can split Peterson and King, Florida’s starting rotation will be in a secure spot. It’ll also allow a struggling bullpen to get back in rhythm and come into games with more leverage.

Swinging in sync

Junior catcher Luke Heyman had his best series of the year against Ole Miss. He homered three times on the way to a 6-for-9 weekend and five RBIs in the double header.

“It was probably the best weekend he’s had all year long,” O’Sullivan said.

Other Gators’ bats like Brendan Lawson, Landon Stripling and Colby Shelton stepped up in big moments as well. But the Gators are very noticeably missing two producers in their lineup: Bobby Boser and Brody Donay. The pair of sluggers were Florida’s best headed into conference play but have completely disappeared.

If those two can get back in sync, and the rest of the lineup keeps up, the Gators will be back on track.

Florida continues SEC play when it hosts No. 14 Vanderbilt this weekend.
BSB: Scouting report for Gators weekend trip to Ole Miss

March 27, 2025

After being bounced from the D1Baseball Top 25 and extending its losing streak to four games with a 8-4 collapse against Florida State, it’s hard to say what momentum Florida has headed into an SEC matchup with No. 15 Ole Miss.

Gators coach Kevin O’Sullivan was understandably disappointed by the loss Tuesday but said the team had a good meeting before traveling to Jacksonville for the rivalry showdown and felt his players were in a “good spot.”

Regardless of where Florida is at internally, the stakes are clear to everyone: A win against the Rebels would not only be a huge win for UF’s resume and No. 31 RPI ranking — it would also mark the first conference win for UF this season.

With that in mind, here’s who stands out from the other dugout this weekend:

Hitter to watch: Isaac Humphrey, OF, Sr.

Florida let up 13 home runs against Georgia last weekend. But that’s not a complete disaster, Georgia does lead the nation in homers. Here’s the thing: Ole Miss is seventh. And fifth in home runs per game. It hit 10 last weekend against Missouri and will look to do the same again the Gators.

Isaac Humphrey stands out among the rest of Ole Miss’ powerful lineup. The Louisville transfer is slashing .301/.667/.448 with 27 RBIs and 7 home runs. Only Brody Donay can match each of those hitting numbers on Florida’s lineup, but even he’s short by seven RBIs.

Humphrey earned SEC and Dick Howser Trophy player of the week honors after smashing four home runs and 13 RBIs against Mizzou last weekend.

Pitcher to watch: Hunter Elliot, LHP, RS Jr.

It’s chalky to pick the ace as the pitcher to watch. But Hunter Elliot is Ole Miss’ guy.

The redshirt junior is getting his first real season as a full-time starter. He was the opening day starter his sophomore year in 2023, striking out nine. He made one more start that season against LSU before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery and and was sidelined through 2024. Sound familiar?

Now, Elliot is back as the Friday starter and is crushing it. He’s a reliable arm, good for a 2.79 ERA and 1.17 ERA, striking out 40% of the batters he’s faced with a low-90s fastball and a slider with some excellent break.

Look for Elliot to clean house and keep his perfect record against the Gators’ lineup Friday, and for Florida to bounce back against the latter weekend starters, right-handers Riley Maddox and Mason Nichols, who post a 6.20 and 4.74 ERA with a combined 5-2 record on the year.

First pitch against the ‘Rebs is set for 8 p.m. EST on ESPNU.
BSB: Florida has a pitching problem

March 24, 2025

(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Florida baseball is in a bad way. An 0-6 start in the Southeastern Conference is its worst since 2001 and the worst of head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s tenure at UF since 2008.

Yes, the Gators are hurt. Yes, the bats are the coldest they’ve been all year. But the real problem is — outside of two or three arms, depending on the weekend — Florida can’t trust its arms. Here’s three reasons UF’s pitching staff is struggling, with a solution for each.

Six innings, three runs or less

The problem: Well, you can read. Looking back through the press conference transcripts, O’Sullivan first coined the concept this season after Jake Clemente’s start against Dayton Feb. 22.

Clemente went four shutout innings with seven strikeouts, but loaded the bases in his final frame and got up to 74 pitches, prompting O’Sullivan to end his outing early.

“He just seemed a little off tonight, I don’t know,” O’Sullivan said.

This small problem has grown huge as O’Sullivan plugged Aidan King and Billy Barlow into the weekend rotation and saw them leave early as well.

The solution: Get Liam Peterson and Pierce Coppola back healthy. Supposedly, Coppola started throwing again this past week after leaving early against Miami on March 8. Peterson was held out of his Friday start this past week as precaution relating to soreness.

The two aces are the only Florida pitchers that have been able to stick to the six innings, three runs mantra. Having them back means O’Sullivan only needs to find one more capable arm.

King is the likely fix. He struggled this past weekend, but a short-notice Friday start against the No. 4 team in the country (which, by the way, also leads the nation in home runs) isn’t the easiest ask for a freshman. Allowing King to follow Peterson and Coppola with a Sunday start will likely put him in a better position to fit O’Sullivan’s criteria.

Bullpen woes

The problem: The bullpen comes in too early and gives up too many runs.

Unfortunately for the Gators, the solution to it’s starting struggles isn’t as easy as getting the starter out of the game. They certainly tried, blowing through 10 relievers this weekend. However, no UF pitcher allowed less than two runs out of the bullpen.

The solution: Move Clemente and Billy Barlow into the bullpen, and start working Jackson Barberi in more.

Clemente was decent as a reliever for Florida last year but has struggled mightily as a starter. Swapping him and King, and allowing Clemente to work in shorter timeframes could help him while adding a starter-quality arm to the bullpen.

As for Barlow, he’s been starting in the midweek and doing well to win games Florida couldn’t last year. But it’s starting to come at the expense of winning weekend series. Letting freshmen like Caden McDonald and Matthew Jenkins (when back healthy) take over the weekdays in order to move Barlow into the weekend ‘pen would add some more arm talent into the weekend fold.

As for Barberi, I just like the kid. Smooth mechanics. He can touch 95 on his fastball despite needing to gain a good 20 pounds or so. He’ll be great for the Gators in a year or two, but he can be serviceable now. He did allow two runs against Georgia, but also produced some considerable whiffs. He can be one of the better middle relievers on the team right now if used that way.

Lefty recession

The problem: Frank Menendez is out for the year.

It looked as though 2025 would be a breakout year for the big lefty. He posted a 1.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in five appearances before needing elbow surgery which will sideline him for the year. He was carving himself out to be Florida’s premier bullpen southpaw and a real weapon for the Gators. Now he’s done.

The solution: Somebody steps up… or you stop throwing left-handers

If we’re being honest, Florida’s crop of left-handed relievers is weak. Menendez was head and shoulders better (and older) than the rest even as a second-year player. Florida’s next best bets are McCall Biemiller and Niko Janssens, who post 7.20 and 11.05 ERAs respectively. The rest are basically innings eaters for blowouts.

Obviously, that’s not going to cut it. Either Biemiller and Janssens find a way to make up for Menendez in the aggregate, or Florida will just need to live and die by it’s right-handers and work Coppola’s starts in strategically.
BSB: Gators swept by Georgia, off to worst SEC start since 2001

March 23, 2025

Photo via Gainesville Sports Commission

When Florida Gators head coach Kevin O’Sullivan came into the conference room after the first two losses of this weekend’s series against Georgia, there was a sense of anger and frustration in his voice. But after a Sunday loss which counts for a historically bad conference start, O’Sullivan was simply dejected.

“I can’t recall a weekend quite like this,” he said. “Had a team meeting yesterday, pressed on them a little bit, and obviously they didn’t respond.”

No. 13 Florida (18-8, 0-6 SEC) was swept by No. 4 Georgia (24-2, 5-1 SEC) in a 15-4 loss featuring six Bulldogs home runs. It marks the first home sweep since Florida’s matchup against Tennessee in 2022 and the worst SEC start for the Gators since 2001.

Right-handed sophomore Jake Clemente made the start on the mound for the Gators. The ‘Dawgs picked up right where they left off with the rest of Florida’s staff, laying down a leadoff single and later scoring the runner on a double lined into center. Clemente eventually got out of the frame, picking up his first two strikeouts along the way.

Florida’s offensive struggles carried over from Saturday’s loss as the Gators went 1-2-3 through the bottom frame and ended the first inning down 1-0.

Georgia kept it rolling in the second with a pair of single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Then, ‘Dawgs infielder Christian Adams crushed a ball into the right outfield to make it a 4-0 game. Clemente sat the side in order after hiccup but the Gators were still in a hole early.

First baseman Brendan Lawson made the first steps towards digging out. He sent a solo-shot homer into left field to make it a 4-1 game in the bottom second. The Gators couldn’t add anymore and sent Clemente back to the hill for the third.

The Gators righty walked the leadoff batter and was pulled for freshman Jackson Barberi. He picked up UF’s first scoreless frame of the day and put the Gators back at the plate. They went 1-2-3 once again and closed the third inning down 4-1.

“We’ve gotta figure out three guys on the mound who can go five or six innings,” said O’Sullivan.

Barberi let up a two-run bomb to start the fourth. After working two outs, he walked the bases loaded and had a word with O’Sullivan on the mound. He ended up escaping the jam and working two outs in the top fifth before lefty Niko Janssens relieved him.

Janssens immediately gave up another bomb to Adams before getting out of the inning.

Florida finally reached base again in the bottom fifth on a Ty Evans single. The rest of the lineup couldn’t hit him around, and the Gators trailed 7-1 after five innings.

Right-hander Caden McDonald took over after Janssens let up a leadoff walk. That led to a three-run shot for the Bulldogs to go up 10-1 and another two runners on base, prompting O’Sullivan to bring in redshirt freshman Christian Rodriguez into the fold.

He let up a three-run homer of his own to make it 13-1 before the Gators could get out of the frame.

The Gators got back on the board in the bottom sixth with an RBI single from Ashton Wilson, who came in to hit for Blake Cyr. Florida tacked on two more thanks to a sacrifice grounder and another RBI knock from Luke Heyman. After six innings, Florida trailed 13-4.

Rodriguez came back out for the seventh, trying to keep the Gators out of run-rule territory. He’d instead let up the sixth home run of the day, good for two RBIs, to make it a 15-4 game. Florida went quietly through the bottom seventh and secured a loss which marks a new low in the O’Sullivan era.

“We’ve got no choice but move on,” said O’Sullivan. “What we’re doing right now is not not working. We’ll make some changes.”

Next up, Florida heads to Jacksonville for the next leg of its midweek series against Florida State. First pitch Tuesday is set for 6 p.m.
WGYM Liveblog: SEC Championships Session 2 – No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Florida, No. 7 Mizzou

March 22, 2025

Wait, postseason is here?? Where did the time go?!

Unlike in years past, we are only covering the second session of SEC Championships, so let’s do a quick recap of Session 1 and then talk about what to expect tonight in Session 2.

With 9 teams in the SEC now, the coaches put the format to a vote and decided to simply exclude the ninth-place team from competition – the most bizarre decision possible, in my opinion, but that’s what happened. So Arkansas will be entirely missing from today’s competition. Session 1 featured No. 8 Kentucky, No. 10 Georgia, No. 12 Auburn, and No. 13 Alabama – really puts into perspective the parity in this conference! – but things did not go the way you’d expect with those initial rankings.

Kentucky had overall a pretty middling night, with just a 49.1-something on three of four events. They picked it up at the end on floor, but it was too little too late by that point. Skylar Killough-Wilhelm does sit in second in the all-around at the moment, and Isabella Magnelli and Creslyn Brose are currently tied for the beam and floor titles, respectively. SEC Championships counts both sessions together when considering titles, so that will almost certainly change after the second session, but hopefully their scores will have some staying power.

Sadly, Georgia, after having a pretty great season beam-wise, did Georgia things and melted down on beam in the second rotation, with a 48.825 rotation score. They also only went 49.0 on vault, and even on bars – their best event – they only went 49.2. Sophomore phenom Lily Smith is another currently tied for the floor title, so we’ll see how far she can get with that 9.925 after the Session 2 teams have their say.

Auburn had a passable first half, even notching the second-highest rotation total of any of the 16 rotation scores in the session in their 49.35 on floor, but on vault the wheels started to come off. Both vault and bars were sub-49.0, with a fall from Sara Hubbard and just two scores above 9.8 on vault, and falls from both Sophia Groth and Olivia Greaves on bars – forcing them to count a 9.3.

But Alabama? Somehow pulled out the best score of the night? I’m still reeling a little bit, but the Tide did have the closest thing to home field advantage, since the meet is taking place at a neutral arena in Birmingham, Ala. They didn’t do anything special, but they were consistent and didn’t count any misses. Gabby Gladieux currently leads the AA standings with a 39.5, a mark which should be relatively easy for any of the top AAers from the Session 2 teams to beat, but is certainly still respectable. Lilly Hudson leads the vault standings, Ryan Fuller the bars, and Gabby Ladanyi and Shania Adams are tied for the beam title at the moment.

AFTER SESSION 1: BAMA 197.1, UK 196.775, AUB AND UGA T-195.95

So as we approach Session 2, what does this mean?

Normally, we’d be ready to watch Florida and LSU duke it out for another year of battlin’ swamps. However. Conference consolidation is unfortunately a thing, and Oklahoma has entered the conversation. While not completely indestructible as they have been in the past, the Sooners have still been dominant this year and are ranked No. 1 on almost every event, vault being the only exception. Beam is also a bit of a question mark – the team has had some shaky moments that they’ve barely been able to cover and keep from counting a miss. Will tonight be a steady win for them for their first SEC Championships? Or a fight to the finish? They’ll start on vault, so if they get off to a good start… it might be over pretty quickly.

LSU is Florida’s classic adversary here, with strengths on vault and floor much the same as years past. The Tigers are weaker on beam, ranked No. 5, and like the Gators have had some overall down weeks throughout the season. They’ll start on bars, so a slow start won’t be the end of the world, but if floor doesn’t catapult them in front, they’ll probably fall short.

Missouri is certainly the underdog in this session – the fact that the Tigers are here instead of any of the Session 1 teams is the big accomplishment here for them. While it’s unlikely they’ll defeat any of the top three teams here, it’s not impossible… but beam and vault will be a significant challenge, especially considering the No. 1 teams in the country on both of those events are also in this session. If other teams falter, though, watch for a consistent Mizzou to slide in and take advantage. Crazier things have happened.

And of course, that brings us to dear sweet Florida. It’s been a bumpy ride this season, Gator fans, but we made it. The Gators are No. 2 on every event except floor, where they’re No. 4, and that’s where they’ll start their meet. Bars will also be a worry, but if they can get off to a good start and get through bars cleanly, fighting on beam while Oklahoma is on floor and LSU is on vault could mean it comes down to the wire.

It’s about to start RIGHT NOW on SEC Network, but if you’re busy watching other meets or have different plans tonight, we’ll have everything for you play by play right here! I’ll be prioritizing Florida routines, of course, but will bring you the best complete picture of the meet that I can. Live scores can be found here.

8:07pm: Rotation 1 let’s go!!

Pederson, OU VT: Y1.5, not great distance but pretty floaty. little hop.

Zeiss, LSU UB: Clean transitions from bar to bar. Half in half out dismount, little step on the landing.

Mueller, Mizzou BB: Series is steady to start. Big bobble on her dance sequence but stays on. Roundoff 1.5 dismount, stuck!

Nguyen, UF FX: Front double full to sissone, one of her good ones, maybe some knees in her twist? 1.5 to front lay, great control into the arabesque. Y turn is lovely – a great start for the Gators!!

Torrez, VT: Y1.5, again not much distance but pretty clean in the air, sizable hop forward.

Cowan, UB: Struggled a little with first handstand it looked like? Ray to overshoot, good amplitude, pretty clean legs. DLO is excellent and stuck!

Wier, BB: Dance series is strong. Cartwheel to gainer full is stuck! I didn’t see the acro series but I assume a hit.

Disidore, FX: I like this 2 slot for her a lot better. Rudi to stag, hit the sting mat on an angle and flew kinda wild in the air but found her feet as she landed. Dance series is excellent, gorgeous straddle positions. 1.5 to front lay, much better than last week. Not the best routine but staying consistent and even keeled, we’ll take it.

Wells, VT: Y1.5, MUCH better dynamics than her previous teammates. Little stutter hop forward.

Chio, UB: Some leg sep on the Maloney, bail is fine if a little floppy. Blind change is great. Markelov!! That’s so fun. Sticks her full in dismount cold – that’s a heck of a bar routine.

Celestine, BB: Bhs to side aerial, little check there. Front toss was great. Dance series is quick and clean positions in the air. Sticks her dismount with a big scream of excitement!!

Clark, FX: DLO, controls it much better than I expected, SO glad she figured that out recently. Dance series is fantastic. Front through to double tuck, little lean but does not move that foot. Really strong!

Fatta, VT: Y1.5, great height and distance, single step forward.

Finnegan, UB: Piked Deltchev, INCREDIBLE. Bail is super clean. A little shy on final handstand? Full in dismount is stuck though!

Wong, FX: DLO, chest a little low? Not as good as last week. Straddle positions on her dance series are EXCELLENT. Whip half front full is basically stuck, straight into the arabesque. Should be another good one.

Guess we’re not seeing beam?

Mueller, VT: Y1.5, some leg sep but sticks it!

McClain, UB: Piked Tkachev is HUGE, fingertip catch, pak is super clean. Great final handstand, and holds it nicely. Full in dismount – single step back.

Kelly, BB: Series is clean. Side aerial is a little hesitant but doesn’t melt down. Wolf turn is slow but steady. Roundoff 1.5 twist is stuck!

Harris-Miranda, FX: Really great control on her opening pass. Great dance series, even well-timed with the music. 1.5 to front half to double stag, looked a little wild in there but pulled it out somehow!

Bowers, VT: Y1.5, big step forward, and little off to the right. Uncharacteristic for her.

Hu, BB: Get ready for greatness. Opening scale work is INCREDIBLE. Y turn is gorgeous. Front aerial to front aerial, we love a front tumbling series. Switch to split 3/4, impeccable positions in the air. Fantastic handstand split work toward the end. Gainer pike off the end – not a single flaw. Holy cow.

Bryant, UB: Jaeger is big, great amplitude. Bail is fine. Single step on the full in dismount.

Ferris, FX: Full in to open, little lean but didn’t look like she moved her front foot at all, that’s good. Great straddle positions in her dance series, precise landing positions, she’s really improved there. 1.5 to front lay, saved that – mistimed that punch again, I don’t love that that’s come back again, don’t want it to be a habit. Still should be a good score, but definitely some spots for growth.

AFTER ONE: LSU 49.6, OU 49.425, UF 49.375, MIZ 49.125

I don’t hate this. Feels like the Gators are in a good spot, especially after what has been a pretty inconsistent event for them this season. They need to absolutely NAIL vault and then just be normal the rest of the meet.

8:35pm: Rotation 2 time!

Pilgrim, UF VT: Y1.5 – this is a terrible angle but she maybe stuck?? Burde was standing in the way, ha.

Sievers had to recast it sounds like, so going to be the one OU needs to drop… uh oh.

Ballard, LSU BB: Series is SO steady. Front toss, very upright, straight on. Roundoff double full – stuck!! LSU dialed in tonight.

Tisler, Miz FX: Rudi is really clean to start, well controlled. Dance series is strong, good straddle positions. Nails her last pass – that’s a great start for Mizzou.

Nguyen, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward, very clean leg form.

Pederson, OU UB: Maloney, a little leg sep, pak is cleaner. Handstand on low bar is a little quick? Final one is better. DLO is stuck!

Coen, BB: Front aerial to beat jump, nice quick connection there. Bhs loso, super steady. Roundoff double full – stuck!

Horton, FX: Moonwalk to open, big drama moment, I love. Full in, WOW she gets CRAZY height!! Front through to double tuck – her tumbling is sooooo clean, the finish and the finesse, and her set on her back handspring is absolutely textbook.

Ferris, VT: Y1.5, sizable hop forward.

Fatta, UB: Piked Jaeger, big amplitude! Pak is super clean. DLO, little foot adjustment – a big one for OU.

Chio, BB: Back handspring mount, wow. Bhs loso, very steady. Switch to split, 180 positions are alright. Front aerial to split, very patient with that, good extension. Full turn is fine. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount – little hop forward, couldn’t quite save it. Still, a great routine.

Bui, VT: Y1.5, NICE. Just a little hop forward. Her best so far this season I think!

Torrez, UB: First handstand maybe a little shy? Piked Tkachev is clean. Pak – tries to go too big and barely catches it, has to recast and reset – that’s not what they needed…. DLO, little hop.

8:45pm: McClain, BB: Switch switch half to split, great extension, wow. Front aerial to bhs, perfection. Wolf jump, amazing, so textbook. Stuck gainer full – another great routine.

Celestine, FX: Full in, excellent height and control. She is performing the HECK out of this routine. Double tuck is also well controlled – I’m obsessed with this routine, honestly.

Wong, VT: Yhalf-on, pike half off – just a little slide.

Davis, UB: Gorgeous piked Jaeger, out of a dream. Pak is clean, low bar handstand is fabulous. Double front half out is stuck, that could be perfection.

Bryant, BB: Series is super solid. Some flexed feet in her dance series. Standing front tuck, dead on. Roundoff double full is stuck!

Griffin, FX: Double pike to open, kinda floated that, that was nice. 1.5 through to double tuck, great form on all elements through there. Really working this Beyonce moment. End of her dance series felt a little imprecise?

Harris-Miranda, VT: Y1.5, STUCK COLD! LIKE A DART INTO THE MAT!! IT’S A TEN LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO

Finnegan, BB: Bhs loso loso, like she’s on the floor! Switch to switch half, gorgeous. Sticks her dismount! LSU contingent going wild for her – they are really killing it out here… LSU could be running away with this.

Bowers, UB: Blind change is clean, Jaeger is clean. Pak is patient, good for her. Final handstand is good. Full in dismount – little step on her landing.

Moore, FX: DLO to open, chest maybe a little low? Really playing it up to the crowd, milking these moments in the choreo. Such presence. Front through to double tuck to close – yeah there’s a reason she’s the anchor!

AT THE HALF: LSU 99.05, OU 98.975, UF 98.875, MIZ 98.725

I’m a little annoyed at how loosely Oklahoma was scored that rotation, considering TWO Sooners caught their paks too far and had to recast on the low bar… and yet still somehow they ended up extending their lead ahead of the Gators.

We’re getting some Trinity Thomas commentary at “halftime” – love this!

9:04pm: Rotation 3 starts now!

Griffin, MIZ VT: FTY, little hop on the landing.

Pilgrim, UF UB: Pak is clean, van Leeuwen a little labored? Full in dismount, little adjustment on the landing.

Davis, OU BB: Bhs loso, light and clean. Front aerial to scale choreo, that’s fun. Dance series is gorgeous. Double full dismount is stuck!

Coen, LSU FX: Front double full, a little crossed legs in her twisting form but overall good control. Front full front lay, much cleaner. A little labored on the last element of her triple dance series, but an okay leadoff.

Kelly, VT: FTY, big scoot back. Nice clean form in the air though.

Blakely Jr., UB: Ricna, to pak, gorgeous. Low bar handstand is clean. Over on her high bar handstand work. Double front half out – can’t see her feet because Owen is in the way but it looked like a stick from the reactions??

Fatta, BB: Bhs loso, very steady. Side aerial is clean. Hitchkick to switch side, that’s old school, like that. Sticks her gainer full off the side.

Ballard, FX: DLO is very crunchy, ooh ow. That’s gotta sting. Second pass is much better. Switch ring to switch half is super clean to close it out – not her usual.

Tisler, VT: FTY, a little squatty but didn’t move her feet!!

Wong, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean. Great low bar handstand, very patient with it. van Leeuwen, nice. DLO stuck cold! Such a satisfying noise, that stick.

Pederson, BB: Bhs loso, little lean but keeps her feet on the beam. Hitchkick to switch side, nice. Side somi, very squatty, ugh. Roundoff double full, looked like a small adjustment on the landing.

Chio, FX: Full in, very open body position but chest maybe a little low? Dance series looks pretty clean, although the ring position isn’t the most exaggerated. 1.5 to punch front, very clean. Still don’t really get her ending position but it is what it is.

Horton, VT: Biiiiig Y1.5, but big hop too.

Harris-Miranda, UB: Big Ray! Great handstand work, bail is solid, maybe a little floppy but that’s me being picky. Gorgeous final handstand. DLO stuck!

Bowers, BB: Bhs loso, very clean, super solid. Split leap to switch half, gorgeous extension. Double full dismount, little hop.

Drayton, FX: HUGE DLO, great control. Dance series is crisp and clean, great toe point. Front through to double tuck, just textbook. I want her to get more in the choreo department next year – she can handle it.

Moore, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward but sooo good in the air.

Arana, UB: Maloney to pak, pretty clean. Great final handstand. DLO stuck! Another strong routine for the Gators.

Siegfeldt, BB: Bhs loso – she falls! Oh boy! OU opening the door big time for the Gators.

Finnegan, FX: Double arabian to stag – so tightly tucked, soooo clean. Dance series is lovely, switch ring to switch half. 2.5 to punch front, so much room left on the diagonal, great twisting form. LSU really pushing to close it out here.

Celestine, VT: Y1.5, great dynamics but little hop forward.

McCusker, UB: Love to see her back in the lineup! Maloney to pak, clean. van Leeuwen, hit it this week! Stalder to double tuck, stuck!!! Big hugs for AHC Owen Field afterward, so happy to see her recover.

Torrez, BB: Bhs loso, little lean and check but keeps it small. Switch to straddle, some feet but good 180 positions. Bhs gainer full is stuck!

Bryant, FX: Double front to open, always incredible. Front lay to Rudi, very clean this week. I didn’t see her dance elements, I was too busy looking at RILEY MCUSKER’S 10.0?????

AFTER THREE: UF 148.725, LSU 148.675, OU 148.45, MIZ 147.825

I…. I don’t understand what just happened? 10.0s for Wong AND McCusker??? After bars has been our most inconsistent event all season?? I am thrilled for both of them and to be in the lead but I’m so confused as to how this is where we are now.

Harris-Miranda, Wong, and McCusker individual SEC titles?? I’m already sobbing.

9:32pm: Last one best one, let’s go!

Johnson, LSU VT: FTY, just a little bounce in place, exactly how they want to start.

Draser, UF BB: Deeeeeep breath. Bhs loso, very solid. Switch to switch half, clean. Full turn is fine. Roundoff 1.5 stuck!!! That’s our leadoff!!

Burns, MIZ UB: Jaeger to overshoot, clean. Full in is stuck! A good way to start!

Davis, OU FX: Front double full, a little skiddy on the landing. Dance series looks clean. 1.5 to front full looks better controlled. Can’t stand this choreo she finishes with though, wow.

Zeiss, VT: Y1.5, little step on the landing, I thought she was going to stick, dang.

Pilgrim, BB: Bhs loso, stays patient with it, bobbles small and takes a breath. Front aerial, clean. Switch to split leap, great extension. Bhs gainer full off the side, stuck! Shows it off for an extra moment – finished strong.

Horton, UB: Shaposh to pak, great amplitude on both. Little hop on the dismount.

Sievers, FX: Double pike to open, a little flat but good control. Front through to double tuck, short, has to take a hop forward. Good straddle positions in her dance series. And now another cringey choreography section… I can’t stand what Oklahoma choreography has become. It used to be some of my favorite in the nation.

Finnegan, VT: Y1.5, little hop forward.

Nguyen, BB: Onodi to bhs, super clean, very controlled. Switch leap to split jump, great 180 positions there. Bhs 1.5 twist dismount, little hop.

Moore, UB: Tkachev is HUGE. Overshoot is alright, some leg form. Stuck dismount though!

Drayton, VT: Y1.5, big hop forward, opened really early, maybe too early.

Mueller, FX: Front through to double tuck, has to step forward because she’s short. Front lay to Rudi, very wild and crooked in the air. Dance series is lovely.

Wong, BB: Broke her leap connection?? Bizarre. Front aerial to split jump… did I miss an element here? Bhs loso, fine. Full turn, okay. Switch ring, not a great ring position. Gainer tuck full off the end – think they’ll want to drop this one.

Kelly, UB: Overall clean releases. Stalder to double tuck dismount, has to take a step on the landing.

9:45pm: Chio, VT: Y1.5, just a little hop forward, but WOW her line is so clean in the air.

Fatta, FX: Front double full to stag, a little labored in that jump connection. Front through to… something? Was supposed to be a 2.5 but only did a double and then turned on the landing. Triple element dance series, much cleaner.

Celestine, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean leg form, if a little whippy. van Leeuwen is clean. Toe-on pike half dismount – little stutter steps on the landing.

Harris-Miranda, BB: Need a big one here. Bhs loso bhs, very clean. Switch to straddle 1/4, clean. Bhs 1.5 – little slide back.

Bowers, FX: First pass is a hit. Double pike is strong. Really precise in her dance series, flexed feet on the second two elements but I’m being picky.

Bryant, VT: Handspring pike half, super floaty, small slide on the landing.

Arana, BB: She needs the routine of her LIFE. Bhs loso, keeping that front foot down. Front aerial, little lean. Dance sequence is lovely. Bhs gainer full off the side – little adjustment. It’s out of reach now mathematically though… wow. What a rollercoaster.

Torrez, FX: DLO to open is stellar. Gorgeous leap series. Front tuck through to double tuck, also strong. I think OU may take second.

Titarsolej, UB: Another perfect 10.0!!! Thrilled for her.

And Torrez also gets one… yeah we’ve lost the plot. No reason we should have this many tens, honestly. Commentator Sam Peszek said, “While we’re at it, we should just rejudge the meet!” I agree! Ha. What a mess.

Anyway, glad it wasn’t the Sooners. Congrats to LSU! And well fought to the Gators.

FINAL: LSU 198.2, OU 197.925, UF 197.825, MIZ 197.4

Harris-Miranda will own the vault title solely! Wong, McCusker, and Titarsolej tie for the bars title. Hu, Bryant, Finnegan, and Torrez tie for the beam title at 9.925. And Torrez alone will own the floor title with her own 10.0.

Bryant, after not competing AA for much of the season, wins the individual all-around with a 39.725, with teammate Finnegan and then Harris-Miranda getting second at 39.675.

What a ride, y’all… we’ll find out on Monday where the Gators are headed for Regionals, and then we can talk about their chances at the road to the title.

For now, we’ll sign off and call it a night. Thanks for being here!
BSB: Gators drop first home series with loss to Georgia

March 22, 2025

Photo via Gainesville Sports Commission

Blame the injury bug all you want — Florida baseball is bitten by something much more sinister right now. Needing a win to avoid dropping the first home series of the season, the Gators instead endured perhaps it’s most discouraging loss so far.

No. 13 Florida (19-6, 0-5 SEC) was rolled by No. 4 Georgia (23-2, 4-1 SEC) 15-2. The Gators pitching staff combined to give up six home runs and eight walks in the loss. The 0-5 start in SEC play is the worst since 2001.

“You would hope and think think your players would come out with some more fire and energy,” said Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. “It’s Florida-Georgia. Maybe some players just don’t understand the rivalry.”

Junior right-hander Billy Barlow made his first weekend start as a Gator. His day began with a hard-hit leadoff double which was quickly followed by a two-run bomb into left field from UGA outfielder Robby Burnett. Barlow struck out one one his way to closing the frame with a 2-0 deficit.

Right-handed flamethrower Brian Curley got the start for the ‘Dawgs and put on a much better first frame than Barlow. He struck out two on his way to retiring the side in order. After one inning, Florida trailed 2-0.

Barlow returned to the hill for the second and experienced more of the same from Georgia’s power lineup. After picking up the first out, he walked a batter and gave up another two-run homer into the right outfield. He’d let up another single before punching out his third batter of the day to finish the frame.

The Gators were sat 1-2-3 once again in the bottom second as Curley picked up his third strikeout in six batters faced. Barlow returned to the hill for the top of the third inning down 4-0 and let up a two-out RBI double before recording his fifth K to get out of the jam. After three innings, Barlow was up to 72 pitches.

Designated hitter Brody Donay was the first Gator to reach base Saturday after drawing a one-out walk in the bottom third. Sophomore outfielder Hayden Yost followed it up with a walk of his own to turn the order over. Curley sailed one into the backstop to advance both runners.

Florida stranded both and sent Barlow back to the hill in the fourth down 4-0. He immediately gave up his third home run of the game and was pulled for left-handed reliever McCall Biemiller. He picked up three outs to get out of the frame without allowing more damage as UF trailed 6-0.

“We’ve gotta get deeper in the game with our starters,” said O’Sullivan. “I know we’ve got starters out but it’s no excuse.”

Gators outfielder Blake Cyr singled with one out in the bottom fourth for Florida’s first hit of the day. He’d be stranded by the next two batters and Biemiller trotted back out for the fifth. He walked the leadoff batter before giving up Georgia’s fourth and fifth long balls of the game to make it an 9-0 game.

Curley blanked UF once again in the bottom fifth, allowing the Gators’ second hit of the day on a Brody Donay single.

Right-handed freshman Carson Montsdeoca took the mound for his Florida debut in the sixth inning. He allowed a double before posting the first scoreless frame of the day by a Gators pitcher.

Georgia right-handed reliver Justin Byrd took over for Curley in the bottom sixth and allowed a leadoff single to UF third baseman Bobby Boser. Second baseman Brendan Lawson would score Boser on an RBI single to end Georgia’s shutout bid.

A double into shallow center from first baseman Landon Stripling put two runners in scoring position for Luke Heyman with two outs. He’d strand both on a fly out to center and the Gators trailed 9-1 with three innings left to salvage the game.

Montsdeoca took back over in the seventh inning. He loaded the bases with a single and a pair of walks with two outs before O’Sullivan pulled him for fellow freshman Felix Ong. He hit a batter and walked another to put the game in run-rule territory before striking out the last batter.

Florida entered the bottom seventh down 11-1 and three outs away from the series loss. Yost hit his first career home run to extend the game, but the Gators couldn’t add any more. After seven, they trailed 11-2 and sent Ong back out for the top eighth.

He struck out his third and fourth batters of the day on the way to a shutout frame.

Colby Shelton led off the eighth with a single but was stranded. Headed into the final inning, Florida trailed UGA 11-2. Ong walked the bases loaded and was relieved by lefty Jacob Gomberg with one out.

He’d give up a pair of two-run doubles and a two-run homer to make it 17-2 before getting out of the inning. Florida took over in the bottom ninth and was sat in order to close out the loss.

“The whole game was frustrating,” said O’Sullivan. “This one was a bit humiliating to be honest with you.”

The Gators will try to avoid the team’s first sweep since 2022 in Sunday’s finale at 1 p.m.
Gators Open NCAA Tournament With Wire-to-Wire Rout of Norfolk State

March 22, 2025

Photo by Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Seeking the program’s first final four appearance since 2013, the Florida Gators opened NCAA tournament play with a 95-69 win over MEAC champion, Norfolk State Friday night. The Gators (31-4) won their seventh straight game at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.

The Gators started hot as they raced out to a 19-5 lead and knocked down eighteen of their first thirty shot attempts. Florida led by as many as thirty-two with 3:15 remaining in the first half but the Spartans concluded the period on a 11-0 run to close the gap to 53-32.

The second half was much more back and forth with the Gators only outscoring NSU 42-37. The Spartans got as close as eighteen at 72-54 with just under ten minutes to play in regulation, but wouldn’t get any closer.

Florida was led by first team All-American Walter Clayton, who scored 23 points. Alijah Martin (17), Thomas Haugh (13), and Alex Condon (12) also reached double-figures in the scoring column.

The Gators dominated virtually every statistical category in the matchup. Florida shot 48% from the field while holding the Spartans to 46%. The also outrebounded Norfolk State by thirteen boards.

The Gators will face the two-time defending champion, Connecticut, Sunday afternoon in round of thirty-two action. The Huskies defeated Oklahoma, 67-59, Friday evening.
BSB: Gators fall to 0-4 in SEC with loss to Georgia

March 21, 2025

Photo via Gainesville Sports Commission

After giving up a two-run, go-ahead bomb in the top of the ninth inning Friday, and putting runners on the corners, the Florida Gators found themselves with two outs and the winning run at first. Instead of completing the comeback, designated hitter struck out to keep the Gators winless in conference play.

No. 13 Florida (18-6, 0-4 SEC) fell to No. 4 Georgia (22-2, 3-1 SEC) 8-7 Friday night in the Gators’ conference opener. Florida’s pitching staff combined for seven earned runs and five walks

“It’s been a theme, the rebound runs.” Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “We let up too many walks. And our starters gotta start going six innings.”

Freshman right-hander Aidan King got the start for the Gators. He worked three quick outs to open up the game but let up some hard contact which showed the power potential of a Georgia team leading the nation in home runs.

Georgia starter Charlie Goldstein followed King with a less-than-ideal start in one of the more hostile home crowds for the Gators this season. Justin Nadeau led off with a walk before advancing to second on a single from Bobby Boser. Colby Shelton would clear the base paths on a three-run shot into the right grove.

King headed out for the second inning with a 3-0 cushion. He gave up a leadoff single and plunked a batter to put two runners on with no outs. O’Sullivan went out to chat with him as King seemed to struggle finding the zone.

It didn’t seem to help as he walked the bases loaded. A three-run double from Devin Obee made it a tie ballgame. King struck out a batter, then allowed an infield single. Landon Stripling couldn’t make the play at first and the go-ahead run scored for UGA. King eventually picked up the last two outs and exited the inning trailing 4-3.

Florida couldn’t get anything going in the bottom second and sent King back out for the third inning still down 4-3. He worked a 1-2-3 frame with the help of a glove gem in left from Blake Cyr for the third out.

In the bottom third, Boser added his eighth home run of the season to tie the game back up. It also tied him with Brody Donay for the team-high figure. Florida eventually found itself with two on and two outs with Donay at the plate, prompting Georgia coach Wes Johnson to call on bullpen righty JT Quinn.

After three innings, the game was tied. King returned for the top fourth. He worked an out before allowing a double lined into right on a full count. Another single and a steal put put two runners in scoring position, but Florida’s bullpen remained lifeless.

King picked up the second and third out, but not before allowing the go-ahead run. The Gators went back to work at the plate down 5-4.

Heyman was quick to answer, lining a ball into the Georgia bullpen to make it 5-5 in the bottom fourth. King would return for the fifth with an even score and right-handed sophomore Luke McNeillie getting loose in the bullpen.

“Had to go to him earlier than we needed to,” O’Sullivan said.

After letting up a leadoff walk, King’s night was over. McNeillie took over with the go-ahead run at first and no outs. He’d get the outs needed to put Florida back at the plate with a chance to pull ahead.

The Gators couldn’t capitalize, striking out twice and leaving Brendan Lawson stranded at second. Florida and Georgia were tied at five runs after five innings.

McNeillie returned to the bump for the sixth inning. He let up a two-out walk before picking up his third strikeout of the night to close the frame. Georgia brought new right-hander DJ Radtke out for the bottom sixth.

Hayden Yost entered to pinch hit for Ty Evans with two outs and reached first on a hit-by-pitch to turn the order over. Nadeau couldn’t take advantage, flying out to keep the score at 5-5 and bring out McNeillie once more for the seventh inning.

“We need better at-bats, you know?” O’Sullivan said. “We just didn’t put very good at-bats together there.”

He let up a leadoff walk, prompting O’Sullivan to have a word at the mound and get Philpott moving in the bullpen. McNeillie let up a single to put runners on the corners but wasn’t pulled. He picked up a sacrifice fly for the first out and allowed Georgia to take a one-run lead.

McNeillie would pick up the double play to end the inning trailing 6-5.

With one out, Shelton reached second on an error. Blake Cyr advanced him to third on a sacrifice fly, bringing Lawson to the plate with two outs. He walked to put runners on the corners.

Stripling came up behind Lawson, grounding out to send McNeillie out for the eighth inning still trailing by a run. He let up a leadoff walk and was replaced by Philpott.

The right-hander punched out three straight-batters to strand the runner and end the top eighth.

Donay led off the bottom eighth with a single. Luke Heyman followed it up with a game-tying triple deep into right-center field. Yost came up to the plate with Heyman at third as the go-ahead run. He’d hit a fly out to left which had enough distance to score Heyman and give the Gators a 7-6 lead after eight.

Philpott came in with the chance to close. After a single and a strikeout, he let up a two-run nuke to the nation’s home run leader, Ryland Zaborowski. The ‘Dawgs led 8-7 after nine and the Gators had three outs to mount a comeback.

Florida couldn’t get the job down and gave up the series opener.

“The injuries are mounting, but we need guys to step up,” O’Sullivan said.

The Gators will look to even up the series tomorrow at noon.
BSB: State of the Gators before first SEC homestand

March 21, 2025

(Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

If it’s been a while since you’ve caught up with Florida baseball: Don’t worry. You’re not alone. After a rough go against Tennessee to open, the No. 13 ranked Gators quietly went 2-0 in two run-rule wins against Florida A&M and Jacksonville through the Spring Break midweek.

Now, in the shadow of Florida basketball’s March Madness tipoff just 20 minutes after first pitch tonight, the Gators will take on No. 4 Georgia in it’s SEC home opener. Here’s two things to know before first pitch tonight:

Rivalry Renewed

Even though the Florida’s typical Friday night crowd will be preoccupied with watching the one-seed Gators take on Norfolk State, expect a decent bunch to show up and the players on the field to come out with a little juice tonight. There’s a lot to be gained from a good showing against the ‘Dawgs.

For one, a series win or sweep against a top-5 team speaks for itself, and would go a long way to ease the damage of being swept by Tennessee, both in rank and morale.

And, although the Georgia-Florida game doesn’t always ring bells of baseball, this one could be a little more heated.

The Gators fell to its interstate rival in the other two major men’s sports this season. It’s up to Florida baseball to salvage that series. Expect UF to show up aggressive.

Rotating through rotations

Florida’s been hit by the injury bug. While the team should be able to survive losing Kyle Jones for the year and Cade Kurland going back out again after returning this week for the first time since the Miami series, the pitching situation is going to be a little tougher.

The Gators just got Jake Clemente back last weekend. This weekend, Liam Peterson will sit out due to “general soreness.” Aidan King will start on Friday night. But with Pierce Coppola just returning to throwing this week, who’s in play for Saturday?

In a perfect world, I think coach Kevin O’Sullivan would want to go with sophomore Frank Menendez. The left-hander took big strides this season, posting a 1.29 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 7.0 innings pitched. But Menendez has an elbow injury and will be out for the season. So the question remains.

Sully likes to mix in a lefty to his weekend rotation, but he can’t. The next man up is freshman Nikko Janssens, and after the youth experiment on the mound last season led to a barely above .500 record, I don’t think Florida wants to feed Janssens to the ‘Dawgs.

In this case, experience rules. The best bet for Florida’s starter is Billy Barlow. He’s been starting for UF every midweek, posting a 3.15 ERA in six appearances. He sat out this midweek, and likely not by accident. Expect the Clemson transfer to get his first SEC start Saturday.
WGYM Liveblog: Senior Night with No. 10 Kentucky at No. 3 Florida

March 14, 2025

How is it already senior night?? Time is so fake.

Anyway, tonight we’ll celebrate seniors Sloane Blakely, Bri Edwards, Ellie Lazzari, Riley McCusker, Victoria Nguyen, and Leanne Wong. Unfortunately, we’ve just gotten word that Lazzari is now injured after vault warmups this evening, so tonight may not be the celebration she had hoped for – depends on how bad it was. And of course, Blakely is also still injured, last spotted on a scooter.

As far as the meet itself, Florida should have an edge over Kentucky, but there’s certainly no guarantee given how the Wildcats have strengthened and the Gators have stumbled a few times this season. Watch for strong performances from 5th year Skylar Killough-Wilhelm and sophomore Delaynee Rodriguez on all four, senior Isabella Magnelli on vault and beam, and Creslyn Brose on beam and floor.

For the Gators… we just need 24 for 24 tonight. And we’ll be lucky to get that, given the injuries and inconsistencies so far this season. Bars is my biggest concern, so we’ll have to see how it all goes.

It’s about to start right now on SEC+, but we’ll have all the routines for you right here!

Lazzari is out of vault at the very least, so far.

7:05pm: Pilgrim, UF VT: Yurchenko 1.5, sizable hop forward. Still, good to see her back after that shoulder thing a few weeks ago.

Rizo, UK UB: Jaeger is clean. Bail a little funky. Great final handstand! DLO is super whippy and kinda angled? But she sticks it somehow, okay?

Nguyen, VT: Y1.5, just the tiniest of adjustment to bring her heels together. WOW. Huge. Great body position, some leg sep on the table, but really really excellent.

Riegert, UB: Jaeger, a little off axis but great amplitude. Bail is clean. Sticks her dismount!

Ferris, VT: Y1.5, STUCK COLD!!! Shows off that stick, does not move a muscle. I thought she might be over the line but replay shows she’s not! That should be an EXCELLENT score – 10 from one judge! And the other!!! Danie Ferris earns her first 10.0!!

Procasky, UB: Maloney to pak, pretty clean. Good final handstand. DLO, really dropped it in like a dart.

Disidore, VT: Y1.5, biiiiig distance. Quick on the salute but I’d only take one step for lack of control there.

Davis, UB: GORGEOUS Jaeger, great amplitude, pointed toes. Bail is okay. DLO legs are GLUED together, incredible. Stuck!!

Wong, VT: Yhalf on, pike half off, little stutter step back, a little crooked in her rotation. Not her best, but fine.

Rodriguez, UB: Ray could use a little more air? Handstand work is good, breaks her line on her bail by lifting her head. Sticks her dismount though!

Harris-Miranda, VT: Y1.5, a little bit of a squat and some knee bend in the air, but stuck it colddddd. The Gators are really dialing in on vault – the big question is are they there on everything else?

Killough-Wilhelm, UB: Piked Jaeger is TEXTBOOK. Overshoot is one of the best out there. DLO – little tiny foot adjustment.

Bui, VT exh: Y1.5, little hop forward.

Noonan, UB exh: Maloney… has to recast, bail is clean. Dismount is fine but apparently this is the second week in a row she’s struggled.

AFTER ONE: UF 49.7, UK 49.3

VERY impressed with the Gators on vault, even if some of that is overscoring – they’re really dialing in those landings. 49.7 is the nation’s high score on vault this year!

7:26pm: Rotation 2!

Procasky, UK VT: Yurchenko full, big flare out, just a little step on the landing. Great dynamics and body position, a little off to the left but not over the line.

Pilgrim, UF UB: Pak is really nice. Great low bar handstand work. van Leeuwen was VERY angled but she saved it somehow. Full in dismount stuck! Shows it off for a second and salutes – no deduction there for sure.

Rizo, VT: Yfull, waits a little to twist, that’s unusual. Good layout position, little slide back.

McCusker, UB: Maloney to pak, super clean, legs just pasted together. van Leeuwen, and she comes up short of the high bar! Drops on the ground! No! Not on senior night 😦 she finishes strong with her double tuck dismount, but that’s not how you want to go out. What a bummer.

7:30pm: Wilson, VT: Handspring pike half, great power, little step back.

Blakely Jr., UB: Need a hit here. Great opening handstand work. Ricna to pak, excellent. Overdoes a handstand on the low bar but recovers well, doesn’t have to come down, just recasts. Little shift on her double front half out – she FOUGHT for that one.

Magnelli, VT: Handspring pike half, little slide on the landing. Not as much power as Wilson, but cleaner body position?

Wong, UB: Great opening handstand. Maloney to pak, just gorgeous. van Leeuwen, super clean. DLO, single step back, but we’ll take a hit.

Noonan, VT: Same vault as Wong, it looks like, but WILD entry and helter skelter rotation – ends up stepping off the mat on her landing, but somehow puts it to her feet? Scary.

Harris-Miranda, UB: Ray is gorgeous, high bar handstands are excellent. Bail is clean. Toe on directly to DLO is STUCK! That’s more like it!

Killough-Wilhelm, VT: Y1.5, a new vault for her, which is WILD to me for a fifth-year. Great body position, little hop on the landing. Love her gymnastics.

Arana, UB: Maloney to pak, pretty clean. Good final handstand. DLO is stuck! Needed that for sure, they’ll get to drop McCusker’s fall.

Busch, VT exh: Yfull, a little wild on the landing, some stumbles back.

AT THE HALF: UF 99.25, UK 98.675

Bars is still very much the weakness of this team, as I expected. Teams with weaknesses like that at this stage in the season… don’t typically win championships. Not to say it’s impossible, crazier things have happened, but feels unlikely. SECs next week are going to be a challenge.

7:45pm: Draser, UF BB: Bhs loso, looked like she wanted to wobble but was patient with it. Switch to switch half, clean. Roundoff 1.5 twist is stuck! A great start.

Procasky, UK FX: Front lay front full to open, very clean. Switch ring to tour jete full, makes it around okay. Double tuck to close, nice and high, but stumbles back just a step, couldn’t tell at this angle if she was out or not.

Pilgrim, BB: Candle mount looks effortless for her. Bhs loso, just lays it in. Cat leap to front aerial, super light on her feet. Switch leap to split leap, lovely. Bhs gainer full stuck cold – STONE cold, what a gamer she is.

Magnelli, FX: Rudi to loso, nice and floaty. Dance series is very clean, great straddle oversplit positions. Fun choreo section here in the middle. Double pike, a little stumbly and doesn’t use the whole diagonal, so odd. Straddle to finish it out – solid but not her best.

Nguyen, BB: Onodi to bhs, well connected, so flexible, so difficult. Switch leap to split jump, the most incredible split positions, like take a picture level splits. Little hop on her dismount but what a truly excellent routine.

Rodriguez, FX: Rudi to layout 2ft, very well controlled. Really having fun with this choreo section, but feels a little small, she could be performing it bigger. Double pike for her second pass is great. 1.5 to whip half to straddle is clean to finish up.

Wong, BB: Switch to split leap, perfection. Front aerial to sissone, clean. Bhs loso, super confident – she feels good tonight, I can see it in the finish in her movements. Full turn is clean. Gainer tuck full off the end is stuck!! Glad to see that landing finally materializing it for her.

Killough-Wilhelm, FX: Front double full, great control coming out of that and perfectly rotated. Doesn’t get enough arch in her ring position in her dance series. Combination pass to finish is so clean, 1.5 to front lay – just perfect leg form, well controlled as she comes out of it.

Harris-Miranda, BB: Bhs loso bhs, made us hold our breath for a minute but moved through it like it was nothing. Switch to straddle 1/4, clean. Full turn is solid. Roundoff 1.5 is stuck cold!! That should be a huge score. ANOTHER TEN!!!!

8pm: Brose, FX: Punch double pike, so incredible. Really serving this choreography. Dance series is excellent, wolf element is better than last week. Front full front lay, super clean, great toe point even as she’s tumbling. Front double full to close, which is SO hard to do, and controls it perfectly. She should also be rewarded quite well for that.

Arana, BB: Bhs loso, very patient with it, she could have taken a step back but waited to settle in. Front aerial is a little wonky but no bobbles. Switch to switch half, leg up bobble, did not hit 180 there either. Gainer full off the side is stuck! That’s six for six for the Gators!

Davis, FX: Double pike to open is strong, well controlled. 1.5 to front lay, very clean. Double back to finish is textbook, great position and rotation. An excellent routine.

Blakely Jr., BB exh: Straddle handstand rotating mount, love it. Double wolf turn, suuuper well controlled. Front handspring front tuck – we’re keeping the front series!! She did that in elite and I’m so happy she’s doing it in college too. Dance sequence is good but she bobbles as she finishes, breaks the connection into the bhs, but that’s okay. Gainer pike off the end – stuck! So exciting to see her returning to this event slowly but surely.

Rizo, FX exh: DLO, wow very starfished, but decent control as she lands. Second pass is cleaner but still a little hectic. Dance series a little wild too. Probably best she stays in exhibition. 1.5 to front lay to finish, basically stuck that, okay.

AFTER THREE: UF 148.9, UK 148.0

So, let’s say the Gators have 2 out of 3 events here figured out. Can stellar vault and beam overcome their shortcomings on bars?

8:17pm: Rotation 4!

Rodriguez, UK BB: Switch to split, great 180 positions to start off. Bhs loso loso, very solid. Full turn is fine. Side somi, actually really nice! Not squatty at all. Roundoff 1.5, stuck! A great start for the Cats.

Nguyen, UF FX: Her final performance in the O-Dome… don’t @ me, I’m emotional. Really selling the drama of this opening choreo. Front double full to sissone, some helicopter legs but well controlled landing and well rotated, which it hasn’t already been. Switch ring to switch half, very clean. 1.5 to front lay, muuuch cleaner. Y turn to full turn, so clean. Aaaaaand here come the tears. For her and for me.

Brose, BB: Punch front, lands basically upright, dead on the beam, so good. Front toss to bhs, so solid. Switch leap to beat jump, well connected. Full turn is clean. Roundoff 1.5 is stuck!! What a great routine, Cats are fighting for every tenth here.

Disidore, FX: Big Megan Skaggs energy here. Rudi to stag for her first pass, pretty well controlled, doesn’t travel much in the air during the jump. Straddle positions in her dance series are gorgeous. Not a big fan of this midle choreo section but I think she just needs more reps to sell it more and hit her musical moments. 1.5 to front lay, a solid routine!

Lee, BB: Bhs bhs loso, very steady. Switch to straddle 1/4, great 180 positions there, very sharp with her arm positions too. Full turn is clean. Roundoff 1.5, a little deep squat but gets the stick!

Clark, FX: Gorgeous straddle and strong choreo to start things off. DLO, dialing that in nicely, really good control this week. Really hitting these musical moments in the middle choreo section, and excellent straddle positions in the dance series. Front through to double tuck, so tightly tucked, drops it in and pops open at just the right time. Should be a FABULOUS score on that one, a really great routine, her best so far this season.

8:30pm: Bennett, BB: Triple series, super straight on. Front aerial, little check there. Switch leap to beat jump, good connection. Gainer pike off the end, has to step.

Wong, FX: DLO, really strong. Dance series is gorgeous as always. Whip half to front full, great control into the arabesque. The crowd is going BERSERK for her, everyone out of their seats, like it sounds like a sell out night even though it isn’t. It’s ANOTHER TEN!!!! In her final O-Dome performance!!! I’m not crying, you’re crying!!

Killough-Wilhelm, BB: Front aerial to bhs loso, so cool and calm with that, owns this beam. Switch to beat, nice and quick, good positions. Side aerial to back 1.5 is stuck! That should be a really great score too honestly.

Harris-Miranda, FX: Front through to double tuck, just pops it to the lunge because she can, it looks like. Great positions in the air and rotation around on her dance series. 1.5 to front half to stag to knee – that might be another one?? I don’t know dude, tonight has been an absolute ride.

Magnelli, BB: If there’s anyone Kentucky wants up right now, it’s her – she will be cool no matter what. Triple series, so solid. Switch to switch side, incredible split positions past 180. Front aerial, so clean. Full turn perfect. Sticks her dismount!!

Ferris, FX: Full in to open, a bit of a slide of that front foot as she lands. Straddle positions are nice but landing positions maybe a little imprecise. 1.5 to front lay, a little whippy on that last element but gets it to her feet still. That will honestly probably be the drop score.

Davis, BB exh: Switch to switch half, some flexed feet. Series is fine and steady. Beat to split 3/4 – ooh, leg up bobble, landed very straight legged but saves it somehow. Front full off the end, little hop forward. A great moment for the senior.

Pilgrim, FX exh: How blessed are we that she’s our EXHIBITION routine?? Full in to open, chest very low, that does not feel comfy to me. Dance series is gorgeous, lovely extension through her toes. Front through to double tuck to finish, overcooks it, stumbles back a bit and leans to not go out of bounds. Still, great to see her back in the lineup after her scary fall a few weeks ago.

FINAL: UF 198.625, UK 197.725

Wow… not at all what I expected from the Gators tonight, but a VERY pleasant surprise. They just need to figure out bars before next weekend… I’m not sure it’ll work? But having three out of four events dialed in like this feels much more comfortable than the issues the team was having earlier this season.

Ferris won vault, Harris-Miranda won beam, and Wong won floor all with their respective 10.0s! Harris-Miranda and Arana tied for the bars title with a pair of 9.95s, and the former also won the AA for the night with a massive 39.875.

I will see you all for SEC Championships next weekend – we are waiting with bated breath to see whether it will be Arkansas or Auburn sitting at home while the 8 other teams compete. I plan to do a regular season recap prior to then, but with my schedule the way it’s been, I can’t make any promises. Either way, thank y’all for sticking with me, and I’ll see you next week!

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