Florida Gators Baseball Wrap Up: Wait, the bullpen can get guys out?
![Florida celebrates its win over the Miami Hurricanes, Friday, March 3, 2023, at Condron Family Baseball Park in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators won Game 1, 10-4. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2023Gator Baseball March 3 2023 Condron Family Ballpark Miami Hurricanes](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F4d59b870f03c6652011b7e2d8d4e68504cd67ca95e37db97b6486b895e12af34.jpg "Florida celebrates its win over the Miami Hurricanes, Friday, March 3, 2023, at Condron Family Baseball Park in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators won Game 1, 10-4. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2023Gator Baseball March 3 2023 Condron Family Ballpark Miami Hurricanes")
The common theme surrounding Florida Gators baseball for 2023 is the lack of a bullpen. Kevin O’Sullivan has trotted out anyone and everyone and seemingly no one can get anyone out. Tuesday’s contest against FAU felt like a typical Gator game where Florida hit the ball at will to overcome giving up 11 runs.
But last night the Gators managed to make a key change to the script and if it’s a permanent change this might be the origin story of something really special this year.
Florida Gators Baseball: Call to the bullpen
After Josh Rivera and Tyler Shelnut hit separate three-run homers in the first inning on Tuesday, Florida emerged with an early 6-1 lead and had the stage set for an easy win over the Owls.
Except nothing seems to come easy when opponents are at bat as Yoel Tejeda Jr. started and was tagged for six runs in just three innings of work. He followed by the three-inning, four-run outing from Ryan Slater and Florida found itself behind 9-7 in the fourth inning.
To their credit, Nick Ficarrotta, Philip Abner, and Brandon Neely teamed up for the remaining three innings and only gave up one run as Rivera hit another three-run homer and had a two-RBI single later on as Florida emerged with the 18-11 win.
Rivera ended the night with nine RBIs.
𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 🥩#GoGators // @joshrivera24 pic.twitter.com/61oMJkVW4l
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 8, 2023
While winning 18-11 is fun as a one-off game, the continued leaking of runs by the bullpen continues to be the single biggest flaw for Florida Gators baseball. This team is hitting the ball as if they are on Rookie mode of MLB the Show, but the problem is shown are their opponents.
Come tournament time, all it’s going to take is one pitcher that can figure this team out and the Gators are screwed.
That’s what makes last night’s 11-0 win so encouraging.
Jac Caglianone had a walk-off grand slam. He’s good at baseball. Blah, blah, blah.
🗣️ CAGS CALLED GAME#GoGators // 💪 @jac_caglianone pic.twitter.com/zeS3wXDiw8
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 9, 2023
The bigger story is that Tyler Nesbitt and Abner teamed up for an eight-inning shutout of FAU.
Nesbitt appeared 20 times in 2021, pitching 33.1 innings with a 4.59 ERA. Before last night, his only appearance this season was the 0.2 innings he had against Cincinnati.
Abner made his fifth appearance of the season. His three innings of work eclipsed his four prior appearances combined.
Combined with Cade Fisher quietly having a 1.74 ERA off 10.1 innings of work, for one night there is a narrative that Florida might have some arms they can count on come tournament time.