Not quite good enough — the four words no team wants to hear. For the Gators, the phrase grows louder with each close loss.
As Florida (11-14) takes on No. 5 Florida State (22-2) tonight at 6 in Jacksonville, UF needs to get right-hander Johnny Magliozzi more involved.
The sophomore entered 2013 as Florida’s closer. He has been the pitching staff’s custodian — cleaning up his teammates’ messes and mistakes. A closer is a premium, but Magliozzi has had just five save opportunities in 13 appearances. His value is diminished in the back of the bullpen, especially with mop-up duty coming sooner and sooner. Coach Kevin O’Sullivan went to Magliozzi after UF fell behind by two runs in the first inning of Florida’s 5-4 loss to Vanderbilt on Sunday. Magliozzi bailed out the Gators again, giving up only one unearned run in 3.2 innings.
He won’t start against the Seminoles. Freshman Tucker Simpson (1-1, 4.91) will make his sixth career start. Florida State will counter with sophomore Luke Weaver (3-0, 1.00). Simpson didn’t make an appearance against Vandy. Magliozzi only pitched on Sunday. Florida’s combination of Sunday starters — Justin Shafer and Eric Hanhold — have allowed 26 earned runs in 32.2 innings. Neither has thrown more than 4.1 innings in a start.
Florida is 2-4 this season in series finales this year. Five have been rubber games. The last time UF won on a Sunday was a 6-3 victory against Miami on March 3, which marks the last series the Gators have clinched.
With Sunday woes keeping Florida from winning series, O’Sullivan should give Magliozzi the starting nod on Sundays.
Every game from this point has added meaning. Only Georgia’s winless record in Southeastern Conference play is keeping Florida out of a four-way tie with Missouri, South Carolina and Mississippi State for last place in the league.
A regional appearance for Florida will not be in play if it continues dropping two of three in a series.
O’Sullivan finds himself in a catch-22. Giving the ball to Magliozzi in series finales takes away from the bullpen. But leaving Magliozzi in the closer’s role fails to address Florida’s failing starting staff.
Magliozzi has been one of few bright spots among inconsistent UF pitchers. Freshman left-hander Danny Young and sophomore right-hander Ryan Harris have been the Gators’ other go-to relievers. Freshman Jay Carmichael, who began 2013 in the bullpen, is shining on Friday nights.
There’s a buzz on the field when Magliozzi takes the mound. Whether it’s the “Wild Thing” walkup song or the fist pumps after strikeouts, there’s something different. The difference could just be that Magliozzi throws strikes. He lives in the strike zone. He throws fastballs, changeups and curveballs for strikes in any count.
As a freshman last season, he made six midweek starts. For a team light on experience and in need of stronger starts on the mound, Magliozzi should earn a rotation spot.
Age isn’t an excuse, but it’s been a hindrance. At three games under .500, it’s time to give innings to the best pitchers. Florida is 1-5 in one-run games. It’s time to see what this team could do with consistent starting pitching.
The perfect scenario has a Florida starting pitcher reaching the sixth inning to turn the ball over to Young. Harris has been the most consistent in a group of inconsistent setup men this season. Then, Magliozzi comes on for the save.
The problem is that this formula has been anything but perfect. The hitting hasn’t helped the pitching and vice versa. Had Karsten Whitson not injured his shoulder, perhaps this is a non-issue. It’s time to give Magliozzi a Sunday start. Series wins depend on it.
Contact Adam Pincus at apincus@alligator.org.
Sophomore Johnny Magliozzi warms up between innings during Florida’s 7-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24 at McKethan Stadium. Magliozzi and the Gators were eliminated from the NCAA Bloomington Regional on Saturday.
