Florida takes on Virginia in College World Series Game 1

The Florida Gators (50-15) are in Omaha for the College World Series and are one of the favorites to win it all.

The journey to a second national championship for UF begins with the Friday night opener against Virginia. The ‘Hoos (short for Wahoos, but Cavaliers are the official nickname) are another 50-win ball club that is hoping to win that important first game of pool play.

Heading to the loser’s bracket is a bit of a death sentence, but it’s not impossible to rally and make a comeback. The biggest concern for most teams is pitching depth. Because of that, Kevin O’Sullivan is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach and making everyone available behind Brandon Sproat in relief.

That means Jac Caglianone could come out of the bullpen at some point. The only player that won’t get the call is Hurston Waldrep, who Florida needs for its Game 2, whichever bracket that may be in.

There’s a lot on the line tonight, but Florida has thrived under pressure lately.

Projected Starting Lineup

Notes: It wouldn’t be surprising to see Michael Robertson start this game. Richie Schiekofer isn’t lighting things up at the plate, and Robertson’s glove is elite.

Probable Starters

NOTES: Brandon Sproat will get his typical Friday night start, but it will once again be an audition for the many major league scouts in attendance. It’s been the same story for a while with Sproat: really good stuff, but not that consistent. His 4.69 earned run average is palatable and he’s learned to generate more swing and miss than he did a year ago.

Sproat might be a first-round pick in the eyes of some scouts, but he’s not a lock to earn big money just yet either. Turning down a third-round contract is risky, but a big outing could make everything work out.

Virginia is throwing right-hander Nick Parker, who was roommates with Florida’s BT Riopelle at Coastal Carolina as freshmen. He’s 6-foot-1-inches tall and 208 pounds with a fastball that tops out around 90 mph, yet he’s been one of the most effective pitchers of the postseason.

Parker has a slow 77-78 mph curve that’s developed nicely over the year, and his slider has also improved throughout 2023. The changeup is his favorite offspeed pitch to go to, so opposing batters are dealing with a lot when facing Parker.

Florida should be able to handle this, but I can see lefties such as Riopelle struggling with his stuff.

Other Players to Watch

Virginia, as a whole, can hit the baseball well. They lead the nation with a .335 team batting average and 753 hits. Catcher Kyle Teel (.418/.484/.673) and shortstop Griff O’Ferrall (.396/.455/.491) each have 105 base knocks on the year and first baseman Ethan Anderson (.377/.472/. 643) is nearing the century mark with 95 to his name.

Third baseman Jake Gelof (.331/.435/.731) is the power bat with 23 home runs and 89 runs batted in. Anderson’s 14 homers are second on the team, and Teel is tied in third with center fielder Ethan O’Donnell (.356/.450/.595) 13 apiece. O’Donnell likes to run. He’s swiped 18 bags this season, and O’Ferrall is a threat as well with 16 steals.

Series History

NOTES: Florida played three games against Virginia in 2015 at the College World Series, losing two of three games to the eventual national champion Cavaliers.

Follow the Action

FRIDAY (7 p.m. EDT)

Prediction

Sproat hasn’t been great away from Condron Ballpark, but I don’t think Florida gets shut down but a slow righty at this point in the season, even if he does have strong complementary breaking stuff.

I expect Wyatt Langford and Josh Rivera to have big offensive days, and Sproat will hold Virginia to two runs through seven innings, allowing Brandon Neely to get the two-inning save.

Prediction: 5-2, Florida

Story originally appeared on Gators Wire