The Gators’ golden opportunity in the Golden State will have to wait.
In less than a week, No. 1 Florida will face three ranked opponents in three days at the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. However, before coach Tim Walton’s team can look ahead to its trip out west, it must focus on its home weekend series with Michigan State.
Spartans’ coach Jacquie Joseph recently took her squad down to Miami for the Combat Classic, where it dropped four games, with only one coming to a ranked opponent.
Now, Michigan State (1-4) will take a crack at the top team in the nation in Gainesville.
Walton will try to keep his team from viewing this weekend series as just an exhibition. But many of the young players are excited for their first cross-country series, including freshman Lauren Haeger, who is from Peoria, Ariz.
“Being from that side of the country, it’s going to be exciting to finally go over there,” Haeger said. “A bunch of people are going to see their families and everything, so I’m really excited.”
Because the Spartans have failed to rack up a quality win this season, it is easy for the Gators to overlook this weekend and eye their matchups with several Top 25 teams.
The three most prominent games Florida will play in California are against No. 18 Texas A&M, No. 13 Texas and No. 7 Washington. However, the Gators must first go head-to-head in a three game series against the Spartans.
Possibly helping Florida not look past this matchup against MSU is the fact that it will be its first home weekend series of the year.
Haeger does not want to disappoint the home crowd.
“I hope we have a lot of fans,” Haeger added. “It’s going to be crazy finally getting to play here. I don’t really know to expect, but I’m just excited to go play.”
“Florida fans are awesome,” freshman Sami Fagan added. “I think they will just pump us up. We’re excited to play for people. We want to show them what we have.”
What the Gators have is an overpowering offense that scored nearly as many runs in their first two games (16) as the Spartans have accumulated in five (17).
Walton said he knows his team has a target on its back and must stay vigilant throughout the season.
“Everybody is going to come out to get the Gators,” Walton said. “And I think our players understand that. They really don’t get too high or too low. The demeanor is the same and the intensity is the same.”
Florida’s intensity will certainly be tested this weekend. But when asked if the Gators will be ready for their relatively short homestand before heading off to California, Haeger answered with complete assuredness.
“Definitely we rested up and got our bodies right and our minds rights,” Haeger said. “So we’re ready.”
Third baseman Sami Fagan and pitcher Lauren Haeger said the Gators are trying to concentrate on Michigan State, although a cross-country road trip awaits next week.
