The narrative for Florida Baseball has been flipped in the span of a week. Seven days ago, the Gators entered their series against Tennessee, coming off a midweek win against previously undefeated FSU. Three straight losses later and continued health concerns to their starting rotation, the Gators enter this weekend's series against Georgia in a vulnerable state.
And since when it rains, it pours, Florida is expected to miss their ace this weekend against No. 4 Georiga.
Florida Baseball: M.A.S.H.
Jacob Rudner of Baseball America reported that Liam Peterson is expected to miss this weekend against the Bulldogs due to "general soreness." Peterson has a 2.16 ERA on the season, but he is coming off an outing against Tennessee, where he went 4.0 innings with 4 earned runs.
Florida ace Liam Peterson is expected to miss his start this week due to some general soreness. I’m told the Gators are simply being cautious and expect him back as soon as next week.
— Jacob Rudner (@JacobRudner) March 20, 2025
He joins Pierce Capolla on the injured list, who left early against Miami and hasn't returned. Frank Menendez was also announced as out for the season earlier this week. Jake Clemente came back from a missed start to go 3.0 innings against Tennessee, giving up 2 earned runs.
It is expected that freshman Aidan King will get a start this weekend. He looked fantastic against Tennessee, going 6.0 innings with just 1 earned run before the bullpen took over and the wheels drove straight off a cliff.
On paper, Florida would turn to Billy Barlow to fill the other starting spot. Barlow was not used in either midweek game for the Gators this week. He previously went 3.0 innings against FSU with no earned runs before a poor showing with Tennessee.
Beyond Peterson being a great pitcher, the biggest concern for Kevin O'Sullivan and the crew is who can eat up the innings this weekend. King has shown he can do it, while Clemente and Barlow have not this year. Guys like Alex Philpott and Luke McNeille will be fully rested, and we have seen more and more out of Jackson Barberi, but the Gators are probably going to need someone like Niko Jansenns, Mathew Jenkins, or even McCall Biemiller to come in and eat up some innings at some point in their series.
First pitch at the Condron Family Ballpark in at 6:30 PM.