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Florida coach Kevin O'Sullivan praises pitching vs. Texas Tech, reveals pregame message

Alex Weberby: Alex Weber06/05/23Alexhweber
Florida baseball Kevin O'Sullivan
(USA Today)

Florida baseball is off to a pretty good start in their regional final game against Texas Tech. The Gators lost in their first contest against the Red Raiders but battled back to face them a second time on Sunday, which they won to setup a winner-takes-all Monday afternoon matchup. Less than four innings into the rubber match, Florida found themselves up 3-0 thanks to a pair of home runs and more steady pitching.

During that fourth inning, the SEC Network crew caught up with Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan, who was quick to praise the team’s pitching today and on Sunday, when the Gators got a pair of victories while giving up just three total runs.

“Well, it was obviously really big yesterday when we got two starts,” said O’Sullivan when asked about his pitching staff this weekend. “Got seven innings out of both starters and saved our pen for today.”

Those starters were Cade Fisher and Hurston Waldrep, who each lasted 7.0 innings and gave up five hits and just one run. Then today vs. Texas Tech, the start at the mound as been phenomenal by Ryan Slater. So what was O’Sullivan’s message to the team in the locker to coax out such clutch performances from his pitchers?

“Not much, to be honest with you. I mean, they know what’s at stake. You don’t need to harp on it too much. You know they’re going to give their best effort and whatever happens, happens. But, you know, go play hard and give us the best chance to win.”

O’Sullivan isn’t messing with a good thing and letting his hot hands ride at the mound. Thanks the following homers, the No. 2 overall seed UF is in full control midway through the regional final and looks on their way to the Super Regional next week.

Now, for the home runs, starting with the crack of the bat from Wyatt Langford in the bottom of the third inning that gave the Gators the first score of the game. Take a look at his solo shot, which he laser-beamed straight to left field and into the Texas Tech bullpen:

Just after O’Sullivan took off the headset, Florida added to their lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run homer to the right-center field gap to make it a 3-0 ballgame in favor of the hosts. This time, it was BT Riopelle who went yard: