Just In The Nick Of Time, Sully’s Boys Find Their Touch. Soon Enough? They Need To Show Missouri.

By KYLE CURTIS

GatorBaitMedia.com

Florida baseball has found its groove here at the right time. Is it too little too late though?

Coming off a hard week where the Gators lost their star pitcher, Hunter Barco, for the rest of the season, Florida had nothing to lose. The Gators had to travel to Starkville for a weekend series with the defending national champs with their postseason hopes on the line.

After a stellar performance from Co-SEC player of the week B.T. Riopelle the Gators were able to go into Starkville with a much-needed series sweep. This is the Gator's first sweep of an SEC opponent on the season.

Additionally, Florida also added a midweek win against Bethune Cookman to complete the season sweep of the Wildcats of Bethune Cookman.

What does this mean for the rest of the season outlook?

The hot streak the Gators have put together over the past week or so is what all Gator Nation has been waiting for all year. Different guys showing up on any given night but always finding a way to get the job done. Talent has never been an issue with this group, it is just finding how to fit all the puzzle pieces together to create the perfect picture. Is this late push going to be enough to vault Florida into the postseason?

The short answer is yes. After their strong showing, the Gators are sitting right outside of the top 25 in the 26-30 range on different college baseball ranking outlets. This would put the Gators in a fine position to crack a regional field, although it is still a stretch that they host. Gator fans have been spoiled with the illustrious career of O’Sullivan and the 17 times the Gators have hosted the NCAA Regional tournament. While they may not host this year, at least they have a good shot of dancing.

The Gators currently are 11-13 in the Southeastern Conference with an overall record of 30-18. If the Gators can pick up series wins against Missouri and South Carolina over the next two weekends, that should be enough to put Florida in great shape for their postseason outlook.

Additionally, Florida will also get a chance to take the season series and rival for their midweek matchup next week when they host Florida State for the final time. Florida State has had an up and down season, like Florida, although they have been hot recently and find themselves sitting nationally ranked at 21.

O’Sullivan has stated that he believes the offense is now hitting its stride and this is the kind of baseball you want to be playing this time of year. O’Sullivan also may have found lightning in a bottle with freshman hitter Jac Caglianone who has been red hot since entering the lineup. Pitchers Brandon Sproat and Nick Pogue have also seemed to step up in the absence of Barco. As stated earlier in the season amidst the slump, there is no ceiling for this Gators squad if it can just find all the puzzle pieces to create the picture.