ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF
The Florida Gators hit the road for a crucial series against Mississippi State this weekend. Florida (25-14, 4-11) enters the series on a five-game winning streak and has won seven of its last eight versus the Bulldogs. But the Gators have not fared well on the road in conference play. So far this season, Florida is 1-5 on the road. But did sweep Mississippi State (23-14, 5-10) the last time these two faced off at Dudy Noble Field in 2022.
Gators @ The Dude #GoGators pic.twitter.com/rLOJHv7Jzg
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 18, 2025
It is an important game for both teams, who enter this series ranked 13th and 14th in the conference. Each team is fighting for their postseason lives, so a series win this weekend would be a solid resume booster. D1 Baseball’s second mock 64 came out Wednesday, and Mississippi State was in as a three seed. Florida was out.
“Hopefully we’re at a point now where we can start to make a run,” said coach Kevin O’Sullivan after Tuesday’s win versus Stetson. “This is certainly doable, but it’s not gonna be easy. I certainly believe. I will continue to believe to the end that we have a chance to turn this thing around.”
For Florida to have success this weekend, the most important thing that needs to happen is taking everything they have done right these last five games and take it on the road. Yes, that sounds very cliche but it is true. The offense has been hot during this stretch, averaging 7.6 runs per game with 44 hits and 23 extra-base hits.
Leading the offense has been Bobby Boser and Luke Heyman. Boser is coming off a three-home run night against Stetson on Tuesday which extended his team lead to 14 homers and 42 RBIs. Heyman has been Florida’s most consistent hitter in SEC play, hitting .370 with 20 hits and five home runs.
Etched in History #GoGators pic.twitter.com/9f3NGho4yF
— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) April 16, 2025
The offense will face a Mississippi State pitching staff with a 3.65 ERA led by LHP Pico Kohn. Kohn will get the nod on Friday and RHP Evan Siary and RHP Karson Ligon in games 2 and 3.
Gators’ pitching has found itself as well. During this five-game stretch, the Gators have a 2.08 ERA in 39 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts, 21 walks and 12 runs allowed. It will be important for right-handed pitchers Liam Peterson and Aidan King to have quality starts to not tax the bullpen. Right-handed pitcher Jake Clemente has been lights-out as of late. In his last seven appearances, Clemente has pitched 11 1/3 innings, giving up six hits, five runs, eight walks and striking out 18 with a 3.97 ERA.
The Gators will face a Bulldogs offense averaging 7.35 runs per game with guys in the lineup that can do damage. First-baseman Noah Sullivan is hitting .352 and tied for the team lead in hits, along with eight home runs. Infielder Ace Reece leads the team with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs
Looking Ahead
The first pitch from Dudy Noble Field in Starkville, Miss., is scheduled for 8 p.m. The game can be watched on the SEC Network. You can listen live on ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF + WJXL 1010AM.
