Prior to the start of the 2011 season, senior Josh Adams expressed relief and optimism about the opportunity for a fresh start.
Coming off a miserable junior campaign, UF’s second baseman said, “It’s a new year. New things can happen. I had a bad junior year, but I can’t dwell on it. Now, I’ve got to move forward.”
Thirty-four games into the season, No. 4 Florida’s senior steward has put his words into action.
After a career-worst junior campaign, which came on the heels of first-team All-Southeastern Conference accolades in his first two years at UF, Adams’ pop has returned.
A year removed from barely eclipsing the Mendoza line (.206) in SEC play, the slick-fielding infielder leads the Gators in batting average (.362) and is second in multi-hit and multi-RBI games.
“It’s what I envisioned after last year,” Adams said. “I’m where I want to be.”
UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan praised Adams’ efforts, saying, “I’m awfully proud of the way he has battled through that adversity and put together a really solid start this year.”
The second baseman attributed his struggles in 2010 to mental gaffes but said he has been much more patient at the plate this season.
“Last year, I was swinging at a lot of balls outside the zone,” Adams said. “This year, I’m sticking with my approach and taking it at-bat by at-bat.”
O’Sullivan also said Adams’ ability to punish pitchers for their mistakes has become noticeably better.
“When he gets his pitches, he’s not missing them,” O’Sullivan said. “Last year, I thought he missed a bunch of pitches he could hit. This year, he’s doing the exact opposite.”
Adams added that his improvement was a product of batting lower in the order — something that changed again last weekend.
When Florida (26-8, 9-3 SEC) takes on Georgia (18-16, 8-4 SEC) tonight at 7 in Athens, Adams will be slotted in the two-hole, but the second baseman said his rebound this year is a result of getting better pitches to hit because of the players placed around him.
“I’m pretty much thanking them every day,” Adams said. “It’s definitely helped me out.”
After batting Adams seventh or lower 22 times this season, O’Sullivan shuffled the lineup again last weekend at Mississippi State, sliding Adams back into his customary two-hole, where he began the season.
“I’ve just got to keep working at it and hopefully keep the numbers up,” Adams said.
