While craziness ensued this weekend during No. 6 Florida’s dramatic series victory over No. 7 Vanderbilt, an unfailing presence emerged yet again to thrust the Gators back into the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division race.
All year, Mike Zunino, the sophomore catcher and son of a Major League Baseball scout, has conducted Florida’s accelerating train toward a conference championship and potential spot in the College World Series.
On Sunday, the right-handed slugging backstop unloaded two bombs including the game-winning three-run home run in extra-innings as the Gators (39-13, 20-7 SEC) tied the Commodores (42-8, 20-7 SEC) for first place in the East.
Zunino’s shot not only broke the lengthy deadlock, but it likely cemented his candidacy as the leading contender for SEC Player of the Year.
“There’s no better guy you want up in that situation,” coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “He’s got presence in the box.”
Zunino had struggled in his brief career against Vanderbilt, batting just 1 for 19 before knocking a solo homer in the seventh inning Sunday. The backstop drove in five of Florida’s six runs, the third time this season he’s had five RBIs in a game.
After middling with the bat as a freshman, Zunino has stormed to a monster sophomore campaign, despite the new aluminum.
Although Zunino plays the most demanding position on the diamond, the catcher has started an astounding 50 of UF’s 52 games. Zunino leads the team in nearly every statistical category, but his conference résumé is even more impressive.
He is third in the SEC in batting average (.367) and doubles (18). The sophomore is second in the conference in homers (12), slugging percentage (.654) and total bases (123), while leading the league in runs scored (55) and RBIs (51).
“I can’t say enough about him,” O’Sullivan said. “He’s got leadership skills. He grinds out at-bats. He’s special behind the plate.”
The Gators host Jacksonville (32-18, 18-9 Atlantic Sun) tonight at 7 before wrapping up their regular season with a three-game series against Kentucky starting Thursday.
Etc: UF shortstop Nolan Fontana was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday. The sophomore received the honors for the second time this season after collecting five hits, including a game-tying two-run homer in Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt.
