Florida doesn’t hide from the midweek game like others did

Florida wrapped up its final mid-week home game of the season on Tuesday with an 11-1 run-rule win over UNF. The game might as well have been over from the first at bat the Gators had as Florida opened with a double, a walk, a hit by pitch, another walk, and a single to put three runs on the board before recording an out.

Landon Stripling hit a home run, Kyle Jones was 2-4 with a walk, and Cooper Walls and Billy Barlow both went 3.0 innings on the mound without giving up a run.

The real storyline from Tuesday’s contest, though, wasn’t Florida finally getting back into the winning column for a midweek game after Florida had dropped its previous two; it’s the fact that the game was played in the first place.

Florida doesn’t try to back out of its midweek game against UNF

If it seems confusing as to why it’s such a big deal that Florida went ahead and played UNF, look no further than down south at the University of Miami. The Hurricanes were slated to face FIU, but “had to” cancel the game.

Miami’s official statement was:

“Due to overnight conditions in the Coral Gables area last night, the playing surface at Mark Light Field has been deemed unplayable, forcing the cancellation of tonight’s game against FIU.”

Right… As 11Point7 College Baseball put it:

“Whole bunch of word salad to say we left the tarp off

FIU RPI 221, Miami 33.”

Miami wasn’t the only program to cancel as NC State canceled its game against North Carolina A&T, as well as Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, and Kansas State all conveniently found ways to not play.

Going back to 11Point7’s tweet, the implication for all these teams is that they didn’t want to play because even with a win, it would hurt their RPI. And as much as human polls matter, for teams on the bubble, their RPI can make or break their chances at making the NCAA Tournament.

As much as we have mused Florida this season, they are not only a lock to make the tournament, but they are also in strong contention to host the Regional round.

So the advice to Miami is to win more games up front, and that way, you don’t have to come up with some ChatGPT excuse to cancel previously scheduled games.

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