Florida Baseball Takes On Harvard For Single Game Friday, Doubleheader Saturday

Story Updated at 2 p.m.: The No. 7 Florida baseball team will swing into its last non-conference series of the regular season against Harvard starting Friday.

Battle of the Brains

Having met six times before, most recently nine years ago, the Gators are undefeated against the Crimson. Both Florida and Harvard are strong academic schools, so this north versus south matchup will test their abilities outside of the classroom.

After a rocky Sunday and Tuesday, the Gators improved in their 4-2 win over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday night. Overall, the Florida pitching staff excelled, with starter Billy Barlow winning his first game as a Gator. He pitched five and a third innings, struck out five and gave up one run and walk.

Frank Menendez and Alex Philpott relieved in the game, combining for eight strikeouts, two walks and a run. Although the Gators offense only had seven hits and four runs, Blake Cyr hit his second home run of the season, and Brody Donay hit an insurance homer, his seventh bomb. The small wins Florida had against FAU will help them power through the Crimson, allowing minimal runs.

Harvard hasn’t experienced the smoothest season, losing all of their games so far, half in run rules. In their most recent 13-3 loss to Michigan State, the Crimson gave up 12 runs in the first four innings. They started the comeback by scoring three runs in the fifth, but it was not enough as MSU scored the mercy-rule run in the seventh. Ultimately, the Crimson will have to play their best and more in order to match Florida’s ability.

Florida Injury Updates

The Gators have three players out on injury. Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said center fielder Kyle Jones is likely out for the season with a shoulder injury. LHP Pierce Coppola’s unknown injury has him out for the time being and second baseman Cade Kurland is partaking physical therapy to strengthen his shoulder.

Hoping to Chomp the Crimson

A sweep this weekend would give the Gators confidence ahead of a challenging week with Florida State on Tuesday and a Tennessee series on the road.

Florida has announced the pitching starters for the first two games. Right-hander Liam Peterson (3-0, 1.13 ERA) on Friday and RHP Aidan King (2-0, 0.87 ERA) in Saturday’s first game. The starter for the second game Saturday is yet to be announc

Harvard’s rotation includes RHP Callan Fang (3-3) on Friday, RHP Truman Pauley (0-2) on Saturday at noon, with Game 2 is TBA.

The first pitch will be thrown at 6:30 p.m. Friday. Tune in to SEC Network + and ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF for the series’ coverage. Florida announced earlier today that because of the threat of inclement weather on Sunday, Games 2-3 will be a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon.