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Florida Gators baseball
2024 Florida Gators baseball team
Founded1912; 112 years ago (1912)
UniversityUniversity of Florida
Athletic directorScott Stricklin
Head coachKevin O'Sullivan (16th season)
ConferenceSEC
Eastern Division
LocationGainesville, Florida
Home stadiumCondron Ballpark
(Capacity: 7,000)
NicknameGators
ColorsOrange and blue[1]
   
NCAA Tournament champions
2017
College World Series runner-up
2005, 2011, 2023
College World Series appearances
1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023
NCAA regional champions
1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2023
NCAA Tournament appearances
1958, 1960, 1962, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
Conference tournament champions
1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991, 2011, 2015
Regular season conference champions
1952, 1956, 1962, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2023
McKethan Stadium, home of Gator baseball until 2020
A picture of the 1924 Baseball team

The Florida Gators baseball team represents the University of Florida in the sport of baseball. Florida competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They play their home games in Condron Ballpark on the university's Gainesville, Florida, campus, and are currently led by head coach Kevin O'Sullivan. In the 105-season history of the Florida baseball program, the team has won 16 SEC championships and has appeared in 13 College World Series tournaments. The Gators won their first national championship in 2017.

History

The modern University of Florida was created in 1905 when the Florida Legislature passed the Buckman Act, and thereby consolidated the university's four predecessor institutions into the new "University of the State of Florida." The university fielded its first varsity baseball team, and enjoyed its first winning baseball season, in 1912.[2]

During most of Florida baseball's early existence, the new university's athletic association suffered from a lack of financial resources, and few of the head baseball coaches were full-time baseball coaches. William G. Kline was also the athletic director, head football coach, and head basketball coach; James L. White was Florida's athletic director and head basketball coach; Brady Cowell, Ben Clemons and Lewie Hardage were assistant football coaches; and Sam McAllister was the head basketball coach and an assistant football coach. A notable exception was Lance Richbourg, who was a Florida alumnus and a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Boston Braves and others, and led the Gators to an impressive 39–21 overall record (a .650 winning percentage) in 1922, 1923 and 1926. McAllister was the Gators' last pre-World War II coach, and he returned from military service to lead the Gators baseball team again in 1946 and 1947.[2]

Fuller era: (1948–1975)

The modern post-war era of the Florida Baseball program began with head coach Dave Fuller assuming control in 1948. Fuller was originally hired as a physical education instructor in 1946, and also served as an assistant football coach under four different Gators head coaches. Ultimately, he became the longest-serving Gators head coach in any sport, and won more games than any other Gators coach, after leading the Gators baseball team for 28 seasons. Fuller brought stability and consistency to the program, and his Gators teams won SEC championships in 1952, 1956 and 1962, and made appearances in the NCAA tournament in 1958, 1960 and 1962. His final record was 557–354–6 (.611).[2]

Bergman era: (1976–1981)

Fuller's successor, Jay Bergman, advanced the Florida baseball program a step further. After a difficult transition season in 1976, Bergman's Gators showed marked improvement, winning an SEC championship and SEC tournament title in 1981. His teams also qualified for the NCAA regionals in 1977, 1979 and 1981, and compiled a 7–6 tournament record, but in each instance did not advance beyond the double-elimination opening round of the NCAA tournament. In his six seasons as the Gators' skipper, Bergman posted an overall win–loss record of 216–113 (.657)—the best multi-season winning percentage until that time, and still the second best in Gators baseball history.[2]

Arnold era: (1984–1994)

Joe Arnold followed Jack Rhines' short two-season stint as Florida's head coach. Arnold's Gators won SEC championships in 1984 and 1988, and SEC tournament titles in 1984, 1988 and 1991. His teams made seven appearances in the NCAA tournament, and for the first and second time ever, the Gators advanced to the College World Series in 1988 and 1991. In 11 seasons coaching the Gators, Arnold compiled an overall record of 434–244–2 (.640).[2]

Lopez era: (1995–2000)

Andy Lopez took over the program in 1995, two seasons removed from leading the Pepperdine Waves of Pepperdine University to their only national championship in the 1992 College World Series. In his second season as Florida's head coach in 1996, he led the Gators to a 50-win season and the semifinals of the College World Series. In 2000 and 2001, however, the Gators were eliminated in the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament, and Lopez was replaced. In seven seasons, Lopez posted an overall record of 278–159–1 (.636).[2]

McMahon era: (2001–2007)

Pat McMahon became Florida's baseball coach in 2001, after coaching the Mississippi State Bulldogs for the four preceding seasons.[3][4]

Early in the 2003 season, the Gators began to make a comeback with several freshly scouted prospects, including Andy Ramirez (first base) David Headage (right field), and Randy Thompson (shortstop). The 2003 season set the standard for the next two years of baseball, entering the NCAA tournament in both the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The 2005 season was the best in school history, as the team won the SEC championship and advanced to the College World Series for the first time in seven years, ultimately losing to the Texas Longhorns, two games to none in the final championship round of the Series.

The expectations for the Gators were high in 2006; they were the consensus No. 1 team in the preseason polls, but the team struggled through the 2006 season.[3] The Gators found themselves one game under .500 (26–27) heading into their final series against the LSU Tigers in Gainesville. The team surprisingly won two of the three games to finish the season at .500 (28–28). The Gators' 10–20 SEC record was the second worst in the conference, and they did not qualify for the SEC Tournament, nor were they selected for the NCAA regionals.

After missing the NCAA regionals again in 2007, McMahon was fired on June 7, 2007.[5] McMahon finished his six seasons as the Gators' head coach with an overall record of 202–113–1 (.641).[2]

O'Sullivan era: (2008–present)

Kevin O'Sullivan became the head coach of the Florida baseball team following the 2007 season.[6][7] In each of his first four seasons, O'Sullivan's Gators improved their overall record and SEC standing.[7] In 2008, his first season as the Gators' skipper, the team finished 34–24 overall, 17–13 in SEC play, and in second place in the SEC Eastern Division standings.[7] In 2009, the Gators compiled an overall record of 42–22, 19–11 in the SEC, and in first place in the SEC Eastern Division.[7] O'Sullivan's 2010 Gators finished with an overall win–loss record of 47–17, 22–8 in SEC play, and SEC regular season champions.[7] In each of his first three seasons, his Gators also showed post-season improvement, too: early elimination in the NCAA regional in 2008; progressing to the NCAA Super Regional in 2009; and a berth in the College World Series in 2010.[2]

In 2011, Florida finished the regular season 41–15 overall, 22–8 in the SEC, and SEC regular season co-champions—sharing the regular season conference title with the South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores.[8] After defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and Vanderbilt Commodores to win the SEC tournament, the Gators received the overall No. 2 seed in the sixty-four team NCAA tournament.[9] The Gators swept the NCAA regional three games to none, and beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs two games to one in the NCAA Super Regional, and advanced to the 2011 College World Series.[10] By beating the seventh-seeded Texas Longhorns 8–4 in the opening game of the 2011 Series, and then defeating the sixth-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores twice, 3–1 and 6–4, the Gators earned a berth in the best-of-three College World Series championship finals.[11] In the championship finals, the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Gators in two straight games, 2–1 and 5–2; the Gators finished the 2011 season with an overall record of 53–19—the most games the Gators have ever won in a single season.[12]

A sell-out crowd watches the Gators face the Florida State Seminoles in 2018.

Florida finished the 2012 regular season with a record of 40–16, and were selected as the No. 1 seed in the 2012 NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Jonathon Crawford pitched the seventh no-hitter in NCAA tournament history against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in the opening round of the Gainesville Regional.[13] The Gators swept the double-elimination regional tournament in three straight wins over Bethune-Cookman (4–0) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6–1, 15–3), and then swept the NC State Wolfpack in two straight games to win the best-of-three Gainesville Super Regional (7–1, 9–8) and earn a bid to the 2012 College World Series.[14] The 2012 season came to an abrupt end in the College World Series, as the Gators lost their first two games to the South Carolina Gamecocks 7–3 and the Kent State Golden Flashes 5–4.[15]

Florida returned to the College World Series for the ninth time in 2015 and for the tenth time in 2016. The Gators made their 11th College World Series in 2017, finally breaking through and winning their first national championship after sweeping LSU two games to none in the championship series. They returned to the College World Series in 2018 to defend their title, but fell to Arkansas in the semifinals. After an up-and-down 2019 campaign, the 2020 Gators got off to a school-best 16–1 start before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stadium facilities

Condron Ballpark at Alfred A. McKethan Field is the home field for the Florida baseball team. The playing surface is named for Florida alumnus Alfred A. McKethan and is located on the University of Florida's Gainesville campus. The stadium includes seating for approximately 7,000 fans (expandable to 10,000), a press box, locker rooms and coaching staff offices. The ballpark replaced Alfred A. McKethan Stadium at Perry Field after the 2020 season.

Home plate faces northeast with the sun behind the stadium to provide shade for fans. A 360-degree open concourse allows fans a constant field view. Permanent chairback seats accommodate 4,000 spectators, with 700 club seats, berm capacity of over 2,000, and an option to temporarily expand capacity to around 10,000. The new ballpark is adjacent to Pressly Softball Stadium and Dizney Stadium for lacrosse.[16] McKethan Stadium was demolished to make way for the James W. "Bill" Heavener Complex, a football training facility.[17]

Head coaches

1911 team
Year(s) Coach Seasons W–L–T Pct
1911 Dougal M. Buie 1 ?
1912 H. D. McLeod 1 9–4–2 .667
1913 R. P. Hoffman 1 11–9–1 .548
1914–1916 Pat Flaherty 3 15–28–1 .352
1917 Hugh Wicher 1 8–3–0 .727
1919–1920 Artie Phelan 2 14–16–1 .468
1921 William G. Kline 1 4–10–0 .300
1922–1923, 1926 Lance Richbourg 3 39–21–0 .650
1924 Rex Farrior 1 5–14–0 .263
1925 James L. White 1 3–6–0 .333
1927–1933 Brady Cowell 7 61–65–2 .484
1934–1936 Ben Clemons 3 20–29–1 .410
1937–1939 Lewie Hardage 3 35–24–1 .592
1940–1942, 1946–1947 Sam J. McAllister 5 40–56–4 .420
1945 Bob Pitman 1 2–9–0 .182
1948–1975 Dave Fuller 28 556–356–6 .609
1976–1981 Jay Bergman 6 217–113–0 .658
1982–1983 Jack Rhine 2 72–39–1 .647
1984–1994 Joe Arnold 11 434–244–2 .640
1995–2001 Andy Lopez 7 278–159–1 .636
2002–2007 Pat McMahon 6 231–143–1 .617
2008–present Kevin O'Sullivan 16 681–319–0 .681
Totals 21 109 2,750–1,643–24 .623

Year-by-year results

Main article: List of Florida Gators baseball seasons
Year Coach Record Notes
1912 H. D. McLeod 9–4–2
1913 R. P. Hoffman 11–9–1
1914 Pat Flaherty 2–8
1915 Pat Flaherty 4–6–1
1916 Pat Flaherty 9–15
1917 Hugh Wicher 8–3
No games played in 1918 due to World War I
1919 Artie Phelan 7–5
1920 Artie Phelan 7–11–1
1921 William Kline 4–10
1922 Lance Richbourg 15–5
1923 Lance Richbourg 10–9
1924 Rex Farrior 5–14
1925 James White 3–6
1926 Lance Richbourg 14–7
1927 Brady Cowell 8–14
1928 Brady Cowell 6–14–1
1929 Brady Cowell 4–9
1930 Brady Cowell 9–8
1931 Brady Cowell 11–10
1932 Brady Cowell 12–8
1933 Brady Cowell 11–2–1
1934 Ben Clemons 6–7
1935 Ben Clemons 7–13–1
1936 Ben Clemons 7–9
1937 Lee Hardage 10–7–1
1938 Lee Hardage 14–9
1939 Lee Hardage 11–8
1940 Sam J. McAllister 8–11
1941 Sam J. McAllister 8–7
1942 Sam J. McAllister 6–6
No games played in 1943–44 due to World War II
1945 Bob Pittman 2–9
1946 Sam J. McAllister 4–17–2
1947 Sam J. McAllister 14–15
1948 Dave Fuller 10–14–1
1949 Dave Fuller 17–13
1950 Dave Fuller 20–9
1951 Dave Fuller 16–9
1952 Dave Fuller 21–4–2
1953 Dave Fuller 13–7–1
1954 Dave Fuller 12–10
1955 Dave Fuller 20–4
1956 Dave Fuller 13–11
1957 Dave Fuller 17–7
1958 Dave Fuller 17–7 Eliminated in Regionals
1959 Dave Fuller 13–8
1960 Dave Fuller 18–14 Eliminated in Regionals
1961 Dave Fuller 9–9
1962 Dave Fuller Eliminated in Regionals
1963 Dave Fuller 25–10–1
1964 Dave Fuller 30–9
1965 Dave Fuller 23–11
1966 Dave Fuller 20–13
1967 Dave Fuller 29–8
1968 Dave Fuller 25–13
1969 Dave Fuller 28–17
1970 Dave Fuller 27–17
1971 Dave Fuller 19–26
1972 Dave Fuller 23–21
1973 Dave Fuller 23–21
1974 Dave Fuller 23–20–1
1975 Dave Fuller 23–25
1976 Jay Bergman 21–27
1977 Jay Bergman 39–18 Eliminated in Regionals
1978 Jay Bergman 34–15
1979 Jay Bergman 40–20 Eliminated in Regionals
1980 Jay Bergman 40–16
1981 Jay Bergman 42–17 Eliminated in Regionals
1982 Jack Rhine 34–25–1 Eliminated in Regionals
1983 Jack Rhine 38–14
1984 Joe Arnold 43–16–1 Eliminated in Regionals
1985 Joe Arnold 43–18 Eliminated in Regionals
1986 Joe Arnold 27–26
1987 Joe Arnold 32–24
1988 Joe Arnold 48–19–1 Eliminated in CWS
1989 Joe Arnold 44–22 Eliminated in Regionals
1990 Joe Arnold 29–30
1991 Joe Arnold 51–21 CWS Semifinals
1992 Joe Arnold 44–20 Eliminated in Regionals
1993 Joe Arnold 33–25
1994 Joe Arnold 40–23 Eliminated in Regionals
1995 Andy Lopez 32–24
1996 Andy Lopez 50–18 CWS Semifinals
1997 Andy Lopez 40–24 Eliminated in Regionals
1998 Andy Lopez 46–18 Eliminated in CWS
1999 Andy Lopez 31–25
2000 Andy Lopez 44–23–1 Eliminated in Regionals
2001 Andy Lopez 35–27 Eliminated in Regionals
2002 Pat McMahon 46–19 Eliminated in Regionals
2003 Pat McMahon 37–21–1 Eliminated in Regionals
2004 Pat McMahon 43–22 Eliminated in Regionals
2005 Pat McMahon 48–23 CWS Championship Series
2006 Pat McMahon 28–28
2007 Pat McMahon 29–30
2008 Kevin O'Sullivan 34–24 Eliminated in Regionals
2009 Kevin O'Sullivan 42–22 Eliminated in Super Regionals
2010 Kevin O'Sullivan 47–17 Eliminated in CWS
2011 Kevin O'Sullivan 53–19 CWS Championship Series
2012 Kevin O'Sullivan 47–20 Eliminated in CWS
2013 Kevin O'Sullivan 29–30 Eliminated in Regionals
2014 Kevin O'Sullivan 40–23 Eliminated in Regionals
2015 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–18 CWS Semifinals
2016 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–16 Eliminated in CWS
2017 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–19 College World Series Champions
2018 Kevin O'Sullivan 49–21 CWS Semifinals
2019 Kevin O'Sullivan 34–26 Eliminated in Regionals
2020 Kevin O'Sullivan 16–1 Remainder of season canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Kevin O'Sullivan 38–22 Eliminated in Regionals
2022 Kevin O'Sullivan 42–24 Eliminated in Regionals
2023 Kevin O'Sullivan 54–17 CWS Championship Series

College World Series appearances

The Florida Gators have reached the College World Series 12 different times, including three consecutive trips from 2010 to 2012 and four consecutive trips from 2015 to 2018 under Kevin O'Sullivan.

Season Coach Record Results
1988 Joe Arnold 48–19–1 Lost to Wichita State, def. California, eliminated by Arizona State
1991 Joe Arnold 51–21 Lost to LSU, def. Florida State, def. Fresno State, eliminated by LSU
1996 Andy Lopez 50–18 Def. Florida State, lost to LSU, def. Florida State, eliminated by LSU
1998 Andy Lopez 46–18 Lost to Mississippi State, eliminated by USC
2005 Pat McMahon 48–23 Def. Tennessee, def. Nebraska, def. Arizona State; lost to Texas two games to none in the CWS Championship Series
2010 Kevin O'Sullivan 47–17 Lost to UCLA, eliminated by Florida State
2011 Kevin O'Sullivan 53–19 Def. Texas, def. Vanderbilt twice; lost to South Carolina two games to none in the CWS Championship Series
2012 Kevin O'Sullivan 47–20 Lost to South Carolina, eliminated by Kent State
2015 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–18 Def. Miami (FL), lost to Virginia, def. Miami (FL), def. Virginia, eliminated by Virginia
2016 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–16 Lost to Coastal Carolina, eliminated by Texas Tech
2017 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–19 Def. TCU, def. Louisville, lost to TCU, def. TCU, def. LSU two games to none in the CWS Championship Series
2018 Kevin O'Sullivan 49–21 Lost to Texas Tech, def. Texas, def. Texas Tech, eliminated by Arkansas
2023 Kevin O'Sullivan 54-17 Def. Virginia, def. Oral Roberts, def. TCU, lost to LSU two games to one in the CWS Championship Series
Total NCAA College World Series appearances: 13

Florida in the NCAA tournament

Season Record Percentage Results
1958 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Clemson
1960 2–2 .500 Eliminated by North Carolina
1962 1–3 .250 Eliminated by Florida State
1977 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Minnesota
1979 2–2 .500 Eliminated by Delaware
1981 3–2 .600 Coral Gables Regional: Eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals
1982 0–2 .000 Eliminated by Stetson
1984 0–2 .000 Eliminated by South Alabama
1985 3–2 .600 Coral Gables Regional: Eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals
1988 1–2 .333 Tallahassee Regional: Won over George Mason, Tulane, Florida State, and Stetson
College World Series: Eliminated by Arizona State
1989 1–2 .333 Eliminated by Miami (FL)
1991 2–2 .500 Gainesville Regional: Won over Furman, Jacksonville and NC State
College World Series: Eliminated by LSU
1992 1–2 .333 Eliminated by Texas A&M
1994 3–2 .600 Coral Gables Regional: Eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals
1996 2–2 .500 Gainesville Regional: Won over Bucknell, NC State, South Florida and UMass
College World Series: Eliminated by LSU
1997 2–2 .500 Coral Gables Regional: Eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals
1998 8–2 .800 Gainesville Regional: Won over Monmouth, Richmond, Wake Forest and Illinois
College World Series: Lost to Mississippi State and USC
2000 3–2 .600 Waco Regional: Lost to San Jose State, defeated Baylor and Southwest Texas State, lost to San Jose State in the Regional Finals (1–1)
2001 1–2 .333 Coral Gables Regional: Defeated Stetson, lost to Miami (FL), eliminated by Stetson
2002 3–2 .600 Gainesville Regional: Defeated Bethune–Cookman, lost to Miami (FL), defeated Bethune Cookman, Eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals (1–1)
2003 3–2 .600 Coral Gables Regional: Lost to Florida Atlantic, defeated Bethune–Cookman and Florida Atlantic, eliminated by Miami (FL) in the Regional Finals (1–1)
2004 3–2 .600 Oklahoma City Regional: Won over Central Connecticut and UCLA
Coral Gables Super Regional: Lost to Miami (FL) (0–2)
2005 8–3 .727 Gainesville Regional: Won over Stetson, North Carolina and Notre Dame
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Florida State (2–0)
College World Series: Defeated Tennessee, Nebraska and Arizona State,

College World Series Finals: Lost to Texas in the Championship Series (0–2).

2008 0–2 .000 Tallahassee Regional: Lost to Tulane and Florida State
2009 3–2 .600 Gainesville Regional: Won over Bethune–Cookman and Miami (FL)
Gainesville Super Regional: Lost to Southern Miss (0–2)
2010 5–2 .714 Gainesville Regional: Won over Bethune–Cookman, Oregon State and Florida Atlantic
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Miami (FL) (2–0)
College World Series: Lost to UCLA and Florida State in the College World Series
2011 8–3 .727 Gainesville Regional: Won over Manhattan and Miami (FL)
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Mississippi State (2–1)
College World Series: Defeated Texas and Vanderbilt,

College World Series Finals: Lost to South Carolina in the Championship Series (0–2)

2012 5–2 .714 Gainesville Regional: Won over Bethune–Cookman and Georgia Tech
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over NC State (2–0)
College World Series: Lost to South Carolina and Kent State
2013 0–2 .000 Bloomington Regional: Lost to Austin Peay and Valparaiso
2014 0–2 .000 Gainesville Regional: Lost to College of Charleston and North Carolina
2015 8–2 .800 Gainesville Regional: Won over Florida A&M, South Florida, and Florida Atlantic
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Florida State (2–0)
College World Series: Defeated Miami (FL) twice, eliminated by Virginia two games to one
2016 5–3 .625 Gainesville Regional: Won over Bethune–Cookman, Connecticut, and Georgia Tech
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Florida State (2–1)
College World Series: Lost to Coastal Carolina and Texas Tech
2017 10–3 .769 Gainesville Regional: Won over Marist and South Florida, defeated Bethune–Cookman in the Regional Finals (1–1)
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Wake Forest (2–1)
College World Series: Defeated TCU and Louisville

College World Series Finals: defeated LSU in the Championship Series (2–0)

2018 7–4 .636 Gainesville Regional: Won over Columbia and Jacksonville, defeated Florida Atlantic in the Regional Finals (1–1)
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over Auburn (2–1)
College World Series: Lost to Texas Tech, defeated Texas and Texas Tech, eliminated by Arkansas in the national semifinals
2019 1–2 .333 Lubbock Regional: Lost to Dallas Baptist, defeated Army, eliminated by Dallas Baptist
2021 0–2 .000 Gainesville Regional: Lost to South Florida and South Alabama
2022 3–2 .600 Gainesville Regional: Won over Central Michigan, lost to Oklahoma, won over Central Michigan, eliminated by Oklahoma in the Regional Finals (1–1)
2023 9–3 .900 Gainesville Regional: Won over Florida A&M, lost to Texas Tech, won over Connecticut, defeated Texas Tech in the Regional Finals (2–0)
Gainesville Super Regional: Won over South Carolina (2–0)
College World Series: Won over Virginia, Won over Oral Roberts, Won over TCU

College World Series Finals: Lost to LSU in the Championship Series (1–2)

Total NCAA tournament Appearances: 38

Championships

National championships

Florida won its first national championship in 2017, sweeping rival LSU in the CWS Championship Series to emerge victorious in the school's third CWS Finals appearance.

Season Coach Site Opponent Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 CWS MOP Overall record SEC record
2017 Kevin O'Sullivan Omaha LSU W, 4–3 W, 6–1 — Alex Faedo 52–19 21–9
Total NCAA National Championships: 1

The Gators have also reached the College World Series Championship Series three additional times, getting swept both times.

Season Coach Site Opponent Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 CWS MOP Overall record SEC record
2005 Pat McMahon Omaha Texas L, 2–4 L, 2–6 — David Maroul 48–23 20–10
2011 Kevin O'Sullivan Omaha South Carolina L, 1–211 L, 2–5 — Scott Wingo 53–19 22–8
2023 Kevin O'Sullivan Omaha LSU L, 4–511 W, 24–4 L, 4–18 Paul Skenes 54–17 20–10
Total NCAA runner-up finishes: 3

SEC regular season championships

The Gators have won a total of 16 SEC regular season championships, second most among the 14 current SEC members. Their most recent title came in 2023 under Kevin O'Sullivan.

Season Coach Overall record SEC record
1952 Dave Fuller 21–4–2 12–2–1
1956 Dave Fuller 20–4 13–3
1962 Dave Fuller 25–10–1 14–3
1981 Jay Bergman 42–17 16–7
1982 Jack Rhyne 34–25–1 14–8
1984 Joe Arnold 43–16–1 18–4
1988 Joe Arnold 48–19–1 21–6
1996 Andy Lopez 50–18 20–10
1998 Andy Lopez 46–18 21–8
2005 Pat McMahon 48–23 20–10
2010 Kevin O'Sullivan 47–17 22–8
2011 Kevin O'Sullivan 53–19 22–8
2014 Kevin O'Sullivan 40–23 21–9
2017 Kevin O'Sullivan 52–19 21–9
2018 Kevin O'Sullivan 49–21 20–10
2023 Kevin O'Sullivan 54–17 20–10
SEC regular season championships: 16

SEC Tournament championships

The Gators have won seven SEC Tournament championships, third most among the SEC's current 14 members. However, after winning five in 11 years from 1981 to 1991, it was 20 years before Kevin O'Sullivan led the Gators to their sixth SEC Tournament Championship in 2011.

Season Coach Opponent Score Site Overall record SEC record Tournament record
1981 Jay Bergman Kentucky 11–5 Starkville, MS 42–17 16–7 3–0
1982 Jack Rhyne Tennessee 9–3 Gainesville, FL 34–25–1 14–8 3–1
1984 Joe Arnold Tennessee 3–1 Gainesville, FL 43–16–1 18–4 3–1
1988 Joe Arnold Mississippi State 5–3 Starkville, MS 48–19–1 21–6 4–1
1991 Joe Arnold Louisiana State 8–4 Baton Rouge, LA 51–21 16–8 4–0
2011 Kevin O'Sullivan Vanderbilt 5–0 Hoover, AL 53–19 22–8 4–1
2015 Kevin O'Sullivan Vanderbilt 7–3 Hoover, AL 52–18 19–11 4–1
SEC Tournament championships: 7

Player awards

National awards

Mike Zunino (2012)
Brady Singer (2018)
Mike Zunino (2012)
Mike Zunino (2012)
Brad Wilkerson (1998)
Brandon McArthur (2009)
Brian Johnson (2012)
JJ Schwarz (2015)

SEC Awards

Matt LaPorta (2005, 2007)
Mike Zunino (2011)
Justin Hoyman (2004)
Brady Singer (2018)
Preston Tucker (2009)
Austin Maddox (2010)
Austin Cousino (2012)
Logan Shore (2014)

Florida's first Team All-Americans

Player Position Year(s) Selectors
Bernie Parrish Second Base 1958† ABCA
Perry McGriff First Base 1959† ABCA
Tom Moore Third Base 1962†, 1963† ABCA, BA
Marc Sullivan Catcher 1979 SN
Rodney Brewer First Base 1987 SN
John Burke Pitcher 1991 BA
David Eckstein Second Base 1996 NCBWA
Brad Wilkerson UT/ATH 1996, 1997, 1998† NCBWA, BA, CB
Josh Fogg Pitcher 1998† BA, CB
Justin Hoyman Pitcher 2004 ABCA, CB
Matt LaPorta First Base 2005†, 2007 ABCA, BA, CB, NCBWA
Mike Zunino Catcher 2011†, 2012† ABCA, BA, CB, NCBWA
Brian Johnson Utility player 2012 NCBWA
Source:"SEC All-Americas". secsports.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2008-07-24.

ABCA: American Baseball Coaches Association BA: Baseball America CB: Collegiate Baseball NCBWA: National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association SN: Sporting News † Denotes consensus All-American

Former players in Major League Baseball

See also: List of Florida Gators baseball players in Major League Baseball

Many former Florida Gator baseball players have gone on to play in Major League Baseball and other professional leagues. As of 2015, over 170 UF alumni have been chosen in the Major League Baseball draft and over 60 players have appeared in a Major League game. The first was Lance Richbourg, who made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1921. Other notable alumni include 1953 American League MVP Al Rosen, 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein, Gold Glove Award winner Harrison Bader, and former Boston Red Sox managing general partner Haywood Sullivan.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "UF Identity Style Guide". March 1, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h 2011 Florida Gators Baseball Media Supplement Archived 2011-09-02 at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 93–94, 95–97, 98–101, 112–125 (2011). Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  3. ^ a b GatorZone.com, Baseball History, 2007 Roster, Pat McMahon Archived 2011-09-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  4. ^ "Pat McMahon Hired As Florida Baseball Coach," GatorZone.com (June 13, 2001). Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  5. ^ Brandon Zimmerman, "UF fires McMahon Archived 2017-06-21 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (June 7, 2007). Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  6. ^ Brandon Zimmerman, "UF selects baseball coach Archived 2007-09-22 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (June 13, 2007). Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e GatorZone.com, Baseball Coaching & Support Staff, Kevin O'Sullivan Archived 2011-09-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
  8. ^ Robbie Andreu, "Florida baseball claims share of SEC title with blowout Archived 2011-05-23 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (May 21, 2011). Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  9. ^ "Florida draws Miami, Jacksonville and Manhattan in Gainesville Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (May 31, 2011). Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  10. ^ Kevin Brockway, "Gators make it back to Omaha with comeback win over Bulldogs Archived 2011-06-16 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (June 12, 2011). Retrieved June 12, 2011.
  11. ^ Pat Dooley, "Florida beats Vanderbilt to reach CWS championship series," The Gainesville Sun (June 24, 2011). Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  12. ^ Pat Dooley, "Gators' season ends with sweep by Gamecocks in title series Archived 2012-03-26 at the Wayback Machine," The Gainesville Sun (June 28, 2011). Retrieved June 28, 2011.
  13. ^ "Jonathon Crawford Tosses 7th No-Hitter In NCAA Tourney History As No. 1 Florida Blanks B-CU, 4–0 Archived 2012-06-04 at the Wayback Machine," GatorZone.com (June 1, 2012). Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  14. ^ Pat Dooley, "Gators headed back to Omaha," The Gainesville Sun (June 10, 2012). Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  15. ^ Pat Dooley, "Gators gone in a Flash," The Gainesville Sun (June 18, 2012). Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  16. ^ "Florida Ballpark at McKethan Field Nears Completion". Florida Gators. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  17. ^ Carter, Scott. "FLORIDA ANNOUNCES TIMELINE FOR UPGRADES TO SOFTBALL, NEW BASEBALL FACILITY AND NEW STAND-ALONE FOOTBALL TRAINING COMPLEX". floridagators.com. University Athletic Assoc., Inc., Fox Sports Sun, IMG College. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  18. ^ "Florida Gators Baseball 2015 Media Guide" (PDF). University of Florida Athletic Association. 2015. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
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