Despite his team’s fifth consecutive win to open the season, Florida’s coach Kevin O’Sullivan was visibly perturbed after Thursday night’s 4-0 victory over Boston College.
Following a bizarre sequence midway through the ninth inning, UF’s skipper held a brief team meeting in the dugout before he met with the media.
While not specifying what he told his huddled players, O’Sullivan said, “We’ve got to stay focused with what we’re doing. We want to come out everyday and take a good infield and outfield, take a good BP [batting practice].
“We want to change our approach. I don’t want us looking too far ahead. I don’t want us feeling too good about ourselves. It’s a long season, and we expect to do things professionally day in and day out. I want their frame of mind to be right.”
With two outs in the ninth inning, Eagles shortstop Brad Zapenas ripped a ball down the left field line, but the ball struck the umpire, caroming back to Florida third baseman Zack Powers.
Powers picked up the ball and rifled a throw down to second base, likely throwing out Zapenas to end the game. But second baseman Josh Adams wasn’t paying attention, and the ball sailed past him into right field.
“I don’t know what happened,” O’Sullivan said. “Josh’s head was turned, and he probably should have kept his head on a swivel and followed the ball. I haven’t talked to him about it yet.”
Gators errorless streak continues: Since shortstop Nolan Fontana’s sixth-inning error in the series finale against South Florida, UF has played errorless baseball for 21.2 straight innings.
During that stretch, the Gators’ opponents have committed seven errors.
While Brian Johnson was throwing darts Thursday, his defense was outstanding all afternoon.
Kamm Washington ran down several balls in center field. Fontana made two tough plays to his right, and right fielder Preston Tucker made a diving stab to preserve Johnson’s no-hit bid.
“It’s so easy to play the field when Johnson’s throwing,” Tucker said. “He throws strikes and keeps everyone on their toes.”
Florida’s right fielder said he feels more comfortable in his new position the more reps he gets. He added that studying the bats, and the sounds they produce, has helped him read balls better.
“It really worked out today knowing the sound it’s going to make, whether it’s hit hard or not,” Tucker said. “I got a really good jump on it.”
Etc.: Fontana scored his eighth run of the season, crossing the plate at least once in every game thus far. … Because of its odd scheduling, the Eagles leave Gainesville after tonight’s game, travelling to Fort Myers to play the Boston Red Sox in an annual exhibition Saturday, before returning Sunday for the series finale. ... Boston College threw its top three starters Thursday.
