Florida Gators Baseball Kicks Off Fall Practice!

Get ready, Gators fans! The 2026 Florida Gators baseball team is officially on campus and set to launch its fall practice season starting Monday, October 6, at the Condron Family Ballpark! With the gates wide open for all supporters, it's the perfect time to witness the future stars of Gators baseball in action.

Mark Your Calendars: Thrilling Exhibition Games Ahead

Fans won't want to miss the team's exciting fall lineup, which includes two highly anticipated exhibition games. The first will take place on Halloween against Jacksonville University at Vystar Ballpark in Jacksonville, followed by a home game against Georgia Southern on Sunday, November 9. Stay tuned for game times and ticketing details coming soon!

A Strong Return and New Faces Boost the Gators' Roster

The Gators are bringing back a robust squad of 22 players from last year's NCAA Regional team, boasting five key positional starters: first baseman Brendan Lawson, second baseman Cade Kurland, left fielder Blake Cyr, center fielder Justin Nadeau, and right fielder Hayden Yost. Additionally, regular contributors such as Ashton Wilson and Landon Stripling are back, alongside outfielder Kyle Jones, who missed much of last season due to injury.

To enhance their roster, Florida has strategically utilized the transfer portal. New additions include standout players like Second Team All-Big 12 catcher Karson Bowen from TCU and 2025 Ivy League Player of the Year, Sam Miller, from Columbia. They're also counting on 2025 Northwoods League MVP Ethan Surowiec from Ole Miss and outfielder Jaden Bastian from Jacksonville—making for a formidable lineup!

Pitching Powerhouses Set to Dominate the Mound

The backbone of the 2026 Florida Gators will be a powerful pitching rotation led by presumed ace Liam Peterson and 2025 Freshman All-American Aidan King. Together, they'll spearhead a pitching staff that’s feared nationwide, supported by returning right-handers Jackson Barberi, Billy Barlow, and Matthew Jenkins, among others. Rising talents Schuyler Sandford and Joshua Whritenour are also back after battling injuries last season.

Key Transfers Reinforce the Pitching Corps

The pitching roster has been further bolstered by a lineup of impressive blue-chip transfers, including Division II First Team All-American Ernesto Lugo-Canchola and 2025 Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year, Cooper Walls. With this diverse mix of talent, the Gators are poised for a stellar season on the mound!

Exciting Times Ahead for Coach O'Sullivan

This season will mark Head Coach Kevin O'Sullivan's 19th year with the Gators, boasting an impressive record of 756 wins against 371 losses. However, O'Sullivan will begin the season with a three-game suspension due to previous actions during the 2025 NCAA Conway Regional. He has accepted responsibility for his conduct and is committed to growing as a leader.

Get Ready for a Season of Action! Mark These Dates!

Make sure to follow the Gators closely this fall as practices and scrimmages will be open to the public, with schedules updated weekly on FloridaGators.com. Here are the important dates to note: - **October 6**: First Day of Fall Practice - **October 31**: Florida vs. Jacksonville (Vystar Ballpark) - **November 9**: Florida vs. Georgia Southern (Condron Family Ballpark)

The anticipation is building for the 2026 season, and the Gators are ready to make a splash! #GoGators!