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No. 1 Florida baseball hosts in-state rival No. 11 Florida State Tuesday night in the first Sunshine Showdown of 2016

By Andrew Schutte

Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators pitcher Dane Dunning (3) throws against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first inning at the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; Florida Gators pitcher Dane Dunning (3) throws against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first inning at the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the most bitter rivalries in college sports — Florida vs. Florida State — renews on the baseball diamond in a matchup between two highly-touted teams.

The No. 1-ranked Florida baseball team, now at 17-1 overall, host in-state rival No. 11 Florida State (13-3) at 7 PM Tuesday night at McKethan Stadium.

It’s the first of three mid-week meetings between the two clubs this season; the Gators and Seminoles will also meet at The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Mar. 29 and then at Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee on Apr. 12 as part of the Sunshine Showdown.

Florida, fresh off of a weekend sweep against Harvard, enters the ballgame with a perfect 12-0 home record and riding an 11-game winning streak that dates back to its series-clinching win over Miami in Coral Gables on Feb. 28.

Meanwhile, Florida State just swept the nation’s last remaining unbeaten, then-No. 17 Georgia Tech, in Tallahassee by scores of 8-2, 14-9 and 8-3.

Florida Gators
Florida Gators /

Florida Gators

Drawing the start for the Gators is junior right-hander Dane Dunning (1-0, 4.91). He’ll oppose FSU lefty Tyler Holton (0-1, 2.77). Dunning has made five appearances and three starts already in 2016, totaling 22 strikeouts and five walks over a span of 14.2 innings.

But Dunning is just one of many weapons on Florida’s pitching staff.

UF’s starting pitchers are 11-1 so far this season with a 2.34 earned run average and have totaled 120 strikeouts in just over 96 innings. Sophomore RHP Alex Faedo (4-0, 1.42) and junior RHP Logan Shore (4-0, 2.00) have led the way on the mound thus far for Florida, each claiming their first four starts. Collectively, the entire pitching staff has an ERA of 2.52, is holding opponents to a .194 clip and has tallied 190 strikeouts over the course of 164.0 innings of play.

The bats have been relatively hot for the Gators as of late, as well.

Just last week, Florida raised its batting average to .311 and have three infielders hitting above the .400 mark — junior first baseman Peter Alonso (.424), sophomore shortstop Dalton Guthrie (.403) and freshman second baseman Deacon Liput (.403). Liput has also reached base in each of the Gators’ 18 outings with eight multiple-hit games and five multiple-RBI games.

The Seminoles have the advantage in the all-time series with a record of 127-107-1 (.543), but the Gators boast a 57-47 (.548) edge in Gainesville. Further, head coach Kevin O’Sullivan is an even 15-15 (.500) against the ‘Noles: 9-1 (.900) in Gator Country, 4-5 (.444) in Tallahassee, and 2-9 (.182) at neutral sites.

More gators: Spring analysis of the Florida football offense

The winner of Game 1 takes bragging rights — for now.

The rivalry can be heard on the Gator IMG Sports Network and will air live on the SEC Network and livestreamed through the WatchESPN app. Live stats will also be available via FloridaGators.com.

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