While Preston Tucker has homered his way into the spotlight, another freshman has been key to the Gators' success at the plate.
Daniel Pigott has been the final piece to the puzzle at the top of the order.
UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan knew he needed Matt den Dekker, Avery Barnes and Josh Adams near the top of the lineup, but there were still holes.
To find the right hitter, O'Sullivan played with the lineup on a game-to-game basis to find one he liked.
Pigott earned more at-bats the more Riley Cooper struggled to put the ball in play. As Pigott's hitting continued to shine, he settled into the two hole, where he has started the last nine games and where he will be when UF (25-12, 9-6 Southeastern Conference) starts its weekend series with Mississippi (26-10, 9-6 SEC) tonight at 6:30 in McKethan Stadium.
"The key to (our recent success) is Daniel Pigott being able solidify that two spot," O'Sullivan said. "It pushes everyone down one, so it gives us some flexibility and some strength at the bottom of the order."
When the season opened, Pigott's chances of getting on the field looked slim. He was stuck behind Cooper for the starting right-field job, and Cooper jumped out to a hot start.
Through the first eight games, Cooper hit .360 and scored in each game except one.
Since then, Cooper has hit just above the Mendoza Line, and his strikeout total ballooned to 41 in just 89 at-bats. His 41 strikeouts are still the most on the team despite his recent lack of playing time.
Cooper's poor hitting re-opened the preseason competition for the right-field job with Pigott and his older brother, Jonathan, vying for playing time.
Daniel outplayed his sibling to win the starting spot, but he might not have been able to do so without Jonathan's help.
"For all (the other freshmen), these coaches are new, but to me it seemed like they have been here for a while because my brother has been through a year of it. I knew all about them," Daniel said. "He's been around. He knows the ins and outs of everything. He has helped me out a lot."
Daniel's .321 batting average has been aided by the protection surrounding him. In front of him, Pigott has den Dekker, a preseason All-American, leading off. Barnes and Tucker then threaten pitchers after him.
It has allowed him to see better pitches because opposing pitchers fear putting runners on for the Gators' sluggers, and den Dekker worries pitchers with his speed on the base paths while Pigott is at-bat.
With so many other strong hitters, it's easy for the opposition to forget about Pigott.
The talented freshman has benefited from the combination of talent around him.
"Knowing you've got great hitters before and after you takes the pressure off," Pigott said. "I think some see as Matt's up, then the freshman, then Avery, but it helps a lot."
Pigott and the rest of the hot Gators bats have a challenge ahead of them in the Rebels' pitching staff.
They are third in the SEC in ERA (4.22), strikeouts (344) and wins (9). O'Sullivan said he sees no weaknesses in the Rebels' pitching staff.
But that pitching staff can't overlook Pigott, or he could create problems for them early.
