Gators Baseball Set to Take on Florida A&M in Regional Matchup

The Gators are set to host Florida A&M Friday at 5:30 p.m. in a regional matchup.

It was announced Thursday that Jac Caglianone will be the starting pitcher for Florida.

BREAKING: The #Gators will start Jac Caglianone vs FAMU on Friday. https://t.co/NkbwZPgNW8 pic.twitter.com/FKfP7eihsQ

— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) June 1, 2023

Matchup History

FAMU played the Gators in the regular season, with Florida having won 17-7.

Rattlers head coach Jamey Shouppe, reflecting on the game, portrayed his belief that FAMU can get to another level.

“We’re not going to waste a quality arm on a midweek game during the season because we have conference games during the weekends that we have to win.”

FAMU is in the SWAC Conference.

Shouppe relayed that there is no at-large bids in their smaller conference, and they would prefer their pitcher not throw their arm out on a midweek game. But, rather, to be ready with full potential for their conference games.

FAMU won their conference, taking home the title of 2023 SWAC Champions.

https://twitter.com/FAMU_Baseball/status/1662929078578565124

Won’t Back Down

Shouppe said the team is not afraid and is not going to back down as they go into regionals.

“We may get our butts kicked, but we are gonna get it going after it.”

The pressure is really on Florida because they are supposed to win, he said, adding that the pressure of the Gators’ fan base’s expectation to make it to Omaha every year is challenging.

“We are not supposed to be here. We are a small school.”

FAMU Starters

FAMU’s No. 1 arm will not be available to pitch Friday night, as he is on rest after pitching in the SWAC Tournament.

FAMU’s No. 2 will pitch in his place.

The Rattler’s will play their starting catcher, however, after he did not start last time these teams met.

https://twitter.com/FAMU_Baseball/status/1663223937969405977

A Record-breaking Season

The Rattlers finished their regular season strong, making program history.

Four players hit 10-plus home runs, with Sebastian Greico setting the program record with 17.

For the first time in program history, FAMU also had four players with 50-plus RBIs. Ty Hanchey is 2 RBIs away from making it five. Greico set a FAMU D1 record with 68.

The Rattlers, as a team, broke multiple program records with 447 runs, 69 home runs, 112 doubles and 409 RBIs.

The Gators should not, and will not, take them lightly.