American college baseball season
The 2020 Florida Gators baseball team represented the University of Florida in the sport of baseball during the 2020 college baseball season . Florida competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Home games were played at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium on the university's Gainesville, Florida campus, in the final season at the ballpark. The team was coached by Kevin O'Sullivan in his thirteenth season as Florida's head coach. The Gators entered the season looking to return to the College World Series after an early regional exit in last year's Lubbock Regional .
The season was cut short in stages by March 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 2] The Gators finished with a 16–1 record, tied for the best in the country, and ranked No. 1 in all major polls. A tightly contested road sweep of the Miami Hurricanes helped propel Florida to the top spot in the rankings. Not knowing at the time it would be their final game, the Gators saw their 11-game winning streak over Florida State come to an end in the last game played at McKethan Stadium.
Previous season The Gators finished the 2019 season with a 34–26 record, compiling a 13–17 mark in the SEC.
2019 MLB draft The Gators had five players drafted in the 2019 MLB draft .[ 3]
Players in bold are signees drafted from high school that will attend Florida.
Preseason
The SEC media poll was released on February 6, 2020, with the Gators predicted to finish in second place in the Eastern Division.[ 4]
Media poll (East)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Vanderbilt
87 (9)
2
Florida
77 (3)
3
Georgia
76 (2)
4
Tennessee
50
5
South Carolina
48
6
Missouri
32
7
Kentucky
22
Personnel
By player
2020 Florida Gators baseball team
Players
Coaches
#
Pos.
Name
B/T
Height
Weight
Year
Home town
22
INF
Cory Acton
L/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
So
Fort Lauderdale, FL
39
RHP
Justin Alintoff
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Jr
Jupiter, FL
34
INF
Kris Armstrong
S/R
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
So
Jupiter, FL
12
LHP
Hunter Barco
L/L
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Fr
Jacksonville, FL
21
INF
Nick Blasucci
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Sr
Fort Myers, FL
29
OF
Austin Brinling
L/L
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Fr
Bradenton, FL
15
INF
Jordan Butler
L/L
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Jr
Tampa, FL
16
LHP
Ryan Cabarcas
L/L
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
160 lb (73 kg)
Fr
Pembroke Pines, FL
6
INF
Kendrick Calilao
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
So
Kissimmee, FL
37
RHP
Nolan Crisp
R/R
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
So
Locust Grove, GA
18
OF
Brock Edge
L/L
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Jr
Lake City, FL
4
OF
Jud Fabian
R/L
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
So
Ocala, FL
46
RHP
Nick Ficarrotta
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Fr
Palm Harbor, FL
2
C
Cal Greenfield
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Jr
Chicago, IL
11
INF
Nathan Hickey
L/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Jacksonville, FL
44
OF
Austin Langworthy
L/L
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Sr
Williston, FL
23
RHP
Jack Leftwich
R/R
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Jr
Orlando, FL
17
RHP
David Luethje
R/R
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
So
Vero Beach, FL
47
RHP
Tommy Mace
R/R
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Jr
Tampa, FL
52
INF
Kirby McMullen
R/R
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Sr
Ocala, FL
3
RHP
Garrett Milchin
L/R
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Jr
Windermere, FL
30
RHP
Hunter Mink
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Fr
Palm Harbor, FL
10
RHP
Tyler Nesbitt
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Fr
LaBelle, FL
27
INF
Isaac Nunez
R/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Fr
Orlando, FL
20
RHP
Nick Pogue
R/R
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
235 lb (107 kg)
So
Melbourne, FL
28
C
Matt Powell
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Fr
Fort Myers, FL
24
INF
Josh Rivera
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Avon Park, FL
13
INF
Andrew Roberts
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Fr
Altamonte Springs, FL
14
RHP
Christian Scott
R/R
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
So
Parkland, FL
9
INF
Brady Smith
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Jr
Niceville, FL
55
RHP
Ben Specht
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
So
Fort Myers, FL
5
RHP
Brandon Sproat
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Pace, FL
32
OF
Tucker Talbott
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Fr
Atlantic Beach, FL
33
LHP
Trey Van Der Weide
L/L
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Sr
Longwood, FL
1
OF
Jacob Young
R/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
So
Ponte Vedra, FL
Head coach
7 Kevin O'Sullivan
Assistant coach(es)
36 Craig Bell 35 Chuck Jeroloman
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Current redshirt
Roster Last update: September 25, 2020
By position
2020 Florida Gators roster[ 5]
Pitchers
3 - Garrett Milchin - Junior
5 - Brandon Sproat - Freshman
10 - Tyler Nesbitt - Freshman
14 - Christian Scott - Sophomore
16 - Ryan Cabarcas - Freshman
17 - David Luethje - Sophomore
20 - Nick Pogue - Sophomore
23 - Jack Leftwich - Junior
30 - Hunter Mink - Freshman
33 - Trey Van Der Weide - Graduate Student
37 - Nolan Crisp - Sophomore
39 - Justin Alintoff - Junior
46 - Nick Ficarrotta - Freshman
47 - Tommy Mace - Junior
55 - Ben Specht - Sophomore
Catchers
2 - Cal Greenfield - Junior
28 - Matt Powell - Freshman
Infielders
13 - Andrew Roberts - Freshman
21 - Nick Blasucci - Senior
22 - Cory Acton - Sophomore
24 - Josh Rivera - Freshman
27 - Isaac Nunez - Freshman
34 - Kris Armstrong - Sophomore
52 - Kirby McMullen - Senior
Outfielders
1 - Jacob Young - Sophomore
4 - Jud Fabian - Sophomore
18 - Brock Edge - Junior
29 - Austin Brinling - Freshman
32 - Tucker Talbott - Freshman
Utility
6 - Kendrick Calilao (1B/OF) - Sophomore
9 - Brady Smith (INF/C) - Junior
11 - Nathan Hickey (C/INF) - Freshman
12 - Hunter Barco (P/1B) - Freshman
15 - Jordan Butler (P/1B) - Junior
44 - Austin Langworthy (OF/P) - Senior
Coaching staff
Schedule and results
Schedule
Legend
Florida win
Florida loss
Postponement
Bold
Florida team member
2020 Florida Gators baseball game log
Regular season
February
Date
Opponent
Rank
StadiumSite
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall Record
SEC Record
February 14
Marshall
No. 4
McKethan Stadium Gainesville, FL
W 9–2
T. Mace (1–0)
W. Martin (0–1)
None
4,441
1–0
–
February 15
Marshall
No. 4
McKethan Stadium
W 10–0
J. Leftwich (1–0)
B. Choban (0–1)
None
4,453
2–0
–
February 16
Marshall
No. 4
McKethan Stadium
W 15–8
C. Scott (1–0)
B. Callaly (0–1)
None
3,903
3–0
–
February 18
at Jacksonville
No. 2
John Sessions Stadium Jacksonville, FL
W 13–3
N. Ficarrotta (1–0)
M. Cassala (0–2)
None
1,063
4–0
–
February 19
Jacksonville
No. 2
McKethan Stadium
W 4–310
N. Pogue (1–0)
C. Mauloni (0–1)
None
3,300
5–0
–
February 21
at No. 1 Miami (FL) Rivalry
No. 2
Alex Rodriguez Park Coral Gables, FL
W 2–111
B. Specht (1–0)
D. Federman (0–1)
N. Pogue (1)
4,046
6–0
–
February 22
at No. 1 Miami (FL)Rivalry
No. 2
Alex Rodriguez Park
W 7–410
B. Specht (2–0)
A. McFarlane (1–1)
None
4,172
7–0
–
February 23
at No. 1 Miami (FL)Rivalry
No. 2
Alex Rodriguez Park
W 5–3
H. Barco (1–0)
S. Cecconi (1–1)
R. Cabarcas (1)
3,554
8–0
–
February 25
Florida A&M
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
Postponed (rain) Makeup: Unscheduled before season was terminated [ 6]
February 26
at Stetson
No. 1
Conrad Park DeLand, FL
Postponed (rain) Makeup: March 18 [ 7]
February 28
Troy
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 3–2
T. Mace (2–0)
L. Johnson (0–1)
B. Specht (1)
3,377
9–0
–
February 29
Troy
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 10–7
D. Luethje (1–0)
D. Wilder (0–1)
B. Specht (2)
4,140
10–0
–
March
Date
Opponent
Rank
StadiumSite
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall Record
SEC Record
March 1
Troy
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 7–1
H. Barco (2–0)
T. Ellis (0–1)
None
4,001
11–0
–
March 3
vs. Florida Atlantic
No. 1
FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches West Palm Beach, FL
W 7–3
D. Luethje (2–0)
M. DeGusipe (0–1)
None
1,984
12–0
–
March 4
Florida A&M
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 5–0
T. Nesbitt (1–0)
K. Coleman (1–1)
None
2,684
13–0
–
March 6
South Florida
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 9–1
T. Mace (3–0)
C. Sullivan (1–2)
None
3,594
14–0
–
March 7
South Florida
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 15–5
J. Leftwich (2–0)
J. Jasiak (1–2)
None
4,538
15–0
–
March 8
South Florida
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
W 2–1
C. Scott (2–0)
O. Kerkering (0–1)
B. Specht (3)
3,978
16–0
–
March 10
No. 15 Florida State Rivalry
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
L 0–2
A. Velez (1–0)
N. Pogue (1–1)
P. Messick (1)
5,276
16–1
–
March 13
No. 3 Georgia
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic ) [ 2]
March 14
No. 3 Georgia
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 15
No. 3 Georgia
No. 1
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 17
Jacksonville
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 18
at Stetson
Conrad Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 8]
March 20
at Kentucky
Kentucky Proud Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 21
at Kentucky
Kentucky Proud Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 22
at Kentucky
Kentucky Proud Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 24
vs. Florida StateRivalry
Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 27
Texas A&M
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 28
Texas A&M
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 29
Texas A&M
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
March 31
Stetson
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April
Date
Opponent
Rank
StadiumSite
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall Record
SEC Record
April 2
at Arkansas
Baum–Walker Stadium Fayetteville, AR
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 3
at Arkansas
Baum–Walker Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 4
at Arkansas
Baum–Walker Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 7
North Florida
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 9
Missouri
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 10
Missouri
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 11
Missouri
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 14
at Florida StateRivalry
Dick Howser Stadium Tallahassee, FL
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 17
at Tennessee
Lindsey Nelson Stadium Knoxville, TN
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 18
at Tennessee
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 19
at Tennessee
Lindsey Nelson Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 21
Florida Atlantic
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 24
Ole Miss
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 25
Ole Miss
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
April 26
Ole Miss
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May
Date
Opponent
Rank
StadiumSite
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall Record
SEC Record
May 1
at Auburn
Plainsman Park Auburn, AL
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 2
at Auburn
Plainsman Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 3
at Auburn
Plainsman Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 5
Bethune–Cookman
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 8
Vanderbilt
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 9
Vanderbilt
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 10
Vanderbilt
McKethan Stadium
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 14
at South Carolina
Founders Park Columbia, SC
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 15
at South Carolina
Founders Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
May 16
at South Carolina
Founders Park
Canceled (COVID-19 pandemic) [ 2]
Schedule Source: [ 9]
*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the D1Baseball poll.
Florida defeated South Florida 15–5 in the last Saturday game played at McKethan Stadium
Rankings ^ Collegiate Baseball ranked 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranked 30 teams weekly during the season.† NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.
2020 MLB draft The Gators did not have anyone selected in the 2020 MLB draft .
References
^ "2020 Standings" . Southeastern Conference. Retrieved March 12, 2020 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al "COVID-19 Updates" . floridagators.com . University Athletic Assoc., Inc. , Fox Sports Sun , IMG College . Retrieved March 13, 2020 .
^ "MLB Amateur Draft Picks who came from" .
^ "Vanderbilt picked to win 2020 SEC Baseball Championship" .
^ a b "Official Baseball Roster" . Florida Gators. Retrieved June 9, 2020 .
^ Dirlam, Zach (February 25, 2020). "Florida-Florida A&M Game Postponed" . floridagators.com . University Athletic Assoc., Inc. , Fox Sports Sun , IMG College . Retrieved February 25, 2020 .
^ Dirlam, Zach (February 26, 2020). "Florida-Stetson Midweek Game Rescheduled" . floridagators.com . University Athletic Assoc., Inc. , Fox Sports Sun , IMG College . Retrieved February 26, 2020 .
^ "Stetson, ASUN Cancel Athletics Events" . gohatters.com . Stetson University . Retrieved March 17, 2020 .
^ floridagators.com
^ Baseball Coaches Poll
^ Baseball America College: Top 25
^ NCAA DIV I Baseball Polls-Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
^ NCBWA Division I poll
^ D1 Baseball
Venue Rivalries People Seasons National Championships in bold ; College World Series appearances in italics