For the second straight weekend, the No. 4 Florida baseball
team will host the Southeastern Conference West leader, challenging
Ole Miss in a three-game series at McKethan Stadium starting Friday
at 7.
How will the lineup be constructed?
"font-weight: normal;">Coach Kevin O'Sullivan has used the same
lineup just three times all season, showing an affinity for trying
guys in multiple spots. Since Bryson Smith's return from
suspension, O'Sullivan has toyed with the senior hitting both
leadoff and second. UF's manager said against lefties the
outfielder could continue batting first, while shortstop Nolan
Fontana-Florida's usual leadoff hitter-would hit first versus
righties.
How with the bullpen hold up? After getting
thrashed two weeks ago against UCF and Georgia, Florida's bullpen
put up zeros against Alabama, throwing 10 scoreless innings with
nine strikeouts. "Two guys that go under the radar are ‘Paco'
[Steven Rodriguez] and Greg Larson," O'Sullivan said. "Both those
guys continue to give us great outings."
Can Karsten Whitson continue to go deeper into
games? The freshman
phenom tossed a career-high 6.2 innings last Sunday against the
Crimson Tide, marking the first time the right-hander had pitched
past the first out of the sixth inning. Slated to start Sunday,
Whitson will face a Rebels lineup filled with power spread
throughout, as six regulars have knocked at least three homers.
However, Whitson is the only Gators starter yet to surrender a long
ball this season.
The No. 7 Gators softball team travels to Columbia, S.C.,
this weekend to take on the Gamecocks at Beckham Field starting
Friday at 7.
Can Aja Paculba break out of her rut?
"font-weight: normal;">The senior second baseman is in one of the
worst slumps of her UF career. Paculba is 0-14 with four strikeouts
in her last four games, dropping her average from .392 to .359. The
senior said she's in a funk and has "worked a lot this week getting
my timing back."
Who will pitch?
"font-weight: normal;">Stephanie Brombacher was slated to start all
three games against Alabama last weekend but the senior didn't
start Sunday due to an illness and still hasn't completely
recovered from her bicep injury. Freshman Hannah Rogers' permanent
role still remains a mystery.
Can UF avoid the upset?
"font-weight: normal;">Tennessee and Georgia had surprising losses
to Mississippi State and Arkansas, respectively, last weekend.
Florida can't afford to slip up against a last-place South Carolina
team while still fighting for a conference title.
