Gator Baseball Alumni Scrimmage Recap

Gator Baseball alumni, came back to Gainesville to reminisce and give the returning National Champions a warm-up before the season. About 50 alumni Gators came out for the current Gators vs alumni scrimmage. It was a great chance for the current Gators to shake off any nerves before they host Siena on Friday. Especially for the freshmen, who since high school, have only gotten to practice against their teammates. Also, It was good for the alumni (many of whom are still playing in the minors) to work out before their season get underway.

Game Recap

The current Gator team came away with the win against the alumni team 5-4. However, some of the current Gators played on the alumni team and vice versus. And towards the end of the game, the two teams were pretty mixed.

Brady Singer started for the Alumni team with JJ Schwartz catching. Singer pitched 4+ innings with 5 strikeouts.

Freshmen, Tommy Mace was the starting pitcher for the current Gator team. Mace Pitched 5 scoreless innings and only gave up two hits (to alumni Avery Barnes and Jonathan Pigott).

Freshman Tommy Mace has retired 10 batters in a row…

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 10, 2018

Nelson Maldonado played a nice game. He hit a triple in the 4th that drove in Keene Bell. Then Blake Reese hit a double to score Maldonado to bring the score to 3-0, current Gators.

Going into the 6th it was 5-0 current Gators, but that’s when the alumni started to get things moving. Matt den Decker knocked in both Zach Powers and Vickash Ramjit; thanks to a throwing error off a grounder to second. This moved the score 5-2 current Gators.

In the 8th, the alumni made a good attempt to come back. Keenan Kish hit a single to second that scored both JJ Schwartz and Aaron Rhodes, to make the final score 5-4 current Gators.

What a day at the Mac, as the #Gators beat the alumni 5-4.
RECAP: https://t.co/TH0TXWHFeN

Can't wait to continue this tradtion. pic.twitter.com/XEcNufRE2J

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) February 11, 2018

Freshmen to Know

There’s a bunch of fresh faces on this 2018 Gator baseball team; many of whom shined in the alumni game. Some of the freshmen that played in Saturday’s scrimmage was- pitcher Tommy Mace, infielder/outfielder Shane Shifflett, catcher Cal Greenfield and infielder Brady McConnell. After the game, McConnell said that as a freshman he’s excited for the 2018 team to write their own story. McConnell also said that it was neat to play against former Gators.

Of the freshmen, Tommy Mace had the most outstanding night, with his 5 scoreless innings. After the scrimmage, Mace explained how the scrimmage was good practice.

Pitchers, Tommy Mace and Connor Churchill, had a little fun with the post-scrimmage interview; when Mace decided to try his hand at interviewing Churchill who didn’t play in Saturday’s scrimmage.

There are 12 freshmen on this 2018 team, and if they all have personalities like these two then this should be an entertaining season.

Season Opener

The Gators open their season Friday, February 16 when they host Siena at 6:30.