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The Florida baseball team is in Oxford to face No. 15 Ole Miss for its third conference series. This three-day series will test Florida and give the Gators an opportunity for redemption after a struggling start in the SEC.
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Florida has led this matchup since 1922, 57-53, but the Gators have a losing (22-33) record in Oxford. The Gators last played the Rebels in 2023, sweeping the series and outscoring Ole Miss 28-19.
Redemption Opportunity
Coming off an 8-4 walk-off grand slam loss against Florida State in Jacksonville on Tuesday and going 0-3 series against Georgia at Condron Ballpark, the Gators have much to prove against the Rebels. Furthermore, the Gators have lost seven of their last nine games. After two losing series against SEC powerhouses Tennessee and Georgia, Florida is one of three winless teams in conference play. The series this weekend will further test how they can play against a 19-5, 4-2 SEC team.
In order for the Gators to walk out with a victory, they will have to generate momentum on both sides of the ball. On the mound, Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan wants the starting Florida pitching staff to throw for six innings. At bat, the Gators need to perform better. Against FSU, the Gators had only three hits and four runs. During the Georgia series, Florida had a combined 19 hits and 13 runs.
Ole Miss is coming off a 7-5 win against Memphis on Tuesday and a sweep against Missouri from the weekend. Also in the Missouri series, the Rebels had seven or more walks, ranking fifth in the SEC.
Where to watch
Thursday’s series opener starts at 8 p.m. ET and will be covered on ESPNU and ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF + WJXL 1010AM. Both Friday and Saturday’s games will be streamed on SEC Network+ and ESPN 98.1-FM/850-AM WRUF + WJXL 1010AM.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Aidan King will take the mound Thursday for UF. The other starting pitchers are to be announced. For the Rebels, left-handed pitcher Hunter Elliot (4-0, 2.79 ERA) will throw the first pitch Thursday. RHP Riley Maddox (3-2, 6.20) will start at Friday 7:30 pm. ET Friday with RHP Mason Nichols (2-0, 4.74) following at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
