Florida State left a bad taste in Florida’s mouth last season.
The Gators won only one of five meetings against the Seminoles in 2010, losing 8-5 in Omaha, Neb., as FSU eliminated UF from the College World Series.
“It’s pretty bitter after losing four out of five to them,” sophomore catcher Mike Zunino said.
But, after getting off to its best start since 2002, No. 1 Florida (7-0) hopes to reverse its recent fortunes against No. 5 FSU (7-0).
The Gators rolled through their first seven games of the season with ease, but they will face their toughest challenge to date when they clash with the Seminoles tonight at 7 at George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Instead of dwelling on last season’s results, coach Kevin O’Sullivan said his team will use them as motivation heading into the first of four meetings between the two squads.
“There’s a lot more incentive,” O’Sullivan said. “First of all, it’s a rival. … But they got the best of us last year.
“I’ve got a great deal of respect for [FSU], but we’re going to be ready to play.”
With his club riding the momentum of its pitchers, who have combined for a 1.43 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 63 innings, O’Sullivan plans on using an array of arms tonight against FSU.
Florida will trot junior right-handed pitcher Tommy Toledo to the mound for his first start since the Gators were sent packing by Alabama in last season’s Southeastern Conference Tournament.
Toledo (0-0, 0.00 ERA) has made three appearances for UF out of the bullpen this year, pitching four scoreless innings and earning one save.
O’Sullivan said he wanted to give the Tampa native a chance to pitch in his hometown.
O’Sullivan also plans to use lefty Steven “Paco” Rodriguez, righty Anthony DeSclafani and left-hander Alex Panteliodis, who has only seen limited action since returning from offseason hip surgery, out of the bullpen.
O’Sullivan also plans to have lefty Nick Maronde available tonight after limiting him to 12 pitches of relief work in Sunday’s win against Boston College.
“We got a bunch of guys,” O’Sullivan said. “We’re going to use our best guys and give it our best shot.”
Florida State coach Mike Martin seems to be preparing for the rivalry in a similar way, as the Seminoles will start right-hander Scott Sitz (1-0, 0.00), who is usually one of the team’s weekend starters.
“I am (fired up),” O’Sullivan said. “If you can’t get excited for Florida-Florida State … you’re probably in the wrong program.”
Johnson honored: Sophomore left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week on Monday.
Johnson (2-0, 0.00 ERA) tossed six scoreless innings in Thursday’s 4-0 win against Boston College.
He retired the first 17 batters he faced and, at one point, retired 27 straight dating back to Florida’s season opener against USF.
In 12 innings of work, the lefty has recorded 11 strikeouts, allowed three hits and walked one.
Johnson also went 5 for 12 at the plate during the weekend sweep of the Eagles, driving in four runs and scoring three of his own.
