Florida A&M baseball prepares to face a familiar opponent in the Gainesville bracket of the NCAA tournament.
The Rattlers will open up the tournament against the Florida Gators Friday night. This marks the third time in program history the Rattlers have made it to the NCAA Tournament, all three times under head coach Jamey Shouppe.
Gators made bait of Rattlers last time out
The Rattlers lost to Florida 17-7 on April 18 in Gainesville. FAMU is 1-29 all-time against the Gators. The Rattlers’ one win in the series was a 4-3 victory in 2014.
Friday pitching matchup
FAMU RHP Caleb Granger (6-4, 6.61 ERA)
Florida LHP Jac Caglianone (6-3, 4.14 ERA)
What to know about the Rattlers
Florida A&M (29-28) will be decided underdogs against the second-ranked team in the country, but the Rattlers’ confidence isn’t wavering.
“This year, a big thing that we have had is the bats, we’ve had everybody one through nine that has been hitting,” sophomore Will Brown told WTXL-TV. “Pitchers have turned it around, throwing strikes, getting guys out. Like I said, we have been playing really well, and I say if we just go out there, play loose and have fun, and make things happen.”
Despite the odds against them, Shouppe expects his club to challenge the favored Gators.
“Long shot, I get it, but I mean, it is baseball, anything can happen,” he said. “Play the best you can play, outplay the guy at your position and let’s see where the chips fall at the end.”
What to know about the Gators
Florida (44-14) has the fourth-best odds, according to various sportsbooks, behind No. 1 seed Wake Forest, LSU, and Arkansas to win the College World Series.
The SEC co-champion have made 15 straight NCAA regional appearances, the second-longest streak in the country. Florida has hosted 13 of the 15 regionals during the streak.
By earning the No. 2 overall seed, the Gators are a top-eight national seed for the 10th time in 15 regional trips.
Florida led the conference with seven All-SEC honorees as well as a league-high five First Team players. First baseman Jac Caglianone, second baseman Cade Kurland, shortstop Josh Rivera, outfielder Wyatt Langford and Neely were named to the All-SEC First Team while Brandon Sproat received a Second Team nod. Kurland and catcher/DH Luke Heyman were both honored on the Freshman All-SEC Team.
How to watch
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Condron Family Ballpark
TV: ESPN+
Gainesville Regional schedule
Friday, June 2
Game One: 12 p.m. ET* – Texas Tech vs. UConn (ESPN+)
Game Two: 5:30 p.m. ET* – Florida A&M vs. Florida (ESPN+)
Saturday, June 3
Game Three: 12 p.m. ET* – Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two
Game Four: 6 p.m. ET* – Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two
Sunday, June 4
Game Five: 12 p.m. ET* – Loser Game Four vs. Winner Game Three
Game Six: 6 p.m. ET* – Winner Game Four vs. Winner Game Five
Monday, June 5
Game Seven (if necessary): TBA* – Winner Game Six vs. Loser Game Six
*All times subject to change based on TV
Courtesy: Florida A&M Athletics, Florida Athletics
