![Florida's infielder Brendan Lawson (11) scores a run against UAB, Friday, February 13, 2026, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators lost Game 1 to the Blazers 9-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_335,w_3652,h_2054/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/213/01khgph90a7v3ww3jfhr.jpg "Florida's infielder Brendan Lawson (11) scores a run against UAB, Friday, February 13, 2026, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Florida. The Gators lost Game 1 to the Blazers 9-7. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2026")
Florida Baseball recovered from its faceplant on Opening Day to take both games on Saturday against UAB to claim the series. Sunday’s game was moved to Saturday to get ahead of the anticipated weather in Gainesville. Florida took game two 11-0 in seven innings and held on in game three for a 6-1 win.
There were plenty of positives from the weekend, including some concerns. These are our three most notable observations from the weekend from the Gators.
Florida has a 1-2 punch, just not who we thought
As much as anything, the reason Florida didn’t sweep the series was because of Liam Peterson. Florida’s ace was haunted by the ghosts that defined him in his start against ECU last year, and Peterson only went 3.1 innings on Friday, walking five.
But on Saturday, Florida not only got a solid start from Aidan King, who continues to be rock solid, but also got a great start from newcomer Cooper Walls. King went 6.0 innings, gave up just three hits, and walked zero. Walls was a bit of a wildcard after transferring in from Hawaii and winning the third starting job, but he looked in command throughout his start. Walls went 5.1 innings, gave up four hits, and only gave up one walk.
Kyle Jones was missed in 2025
One of the transfers Florida picked up ahead of the 2025 season that was expected to make a huge contribution was Kyle Jones from Stetson. The only problem is that a shoulder injury ended his 2025 campaign just four games into the season, so casual Gator fans probably have minimal clue who Jones is.
But this weekend, he was arguably Florida’s best power hitter despite being in the leadoff spot. Jones went 7-13 with five doubles, three RBIs, and 12 total bases. Jones emerged from the series with an OPS of 1.461.
Brendan Lawson also had a huge weekend with the bat in his hand, going 4-9 with two walks and two HBPs. Lawson had a home run and is sitting with an OPS of 1.504.
Mistakes from last year are still prevalent
We noted this after Friday’s loss, but mental mistakes were Florida’s biggest enemy during the front half of the 2025 season and were a huge reason why they dropped game one against UAB. Beyond Peterson’s struggles, errors, and bad baserunning doomed Florida as much as anything.
Even in their win during game three, Lawson had an error in the field and was doubled up on the basepaths after a Cade Kurland line drive when he kept running off what looked like a hit-and-run attempt.
Up next
Florida will have two games against Stetson during the week. Tuesday will be on the road, while Wednesday will be back at home.
Over the weekend, the Gators will host Kennesaw State.