Florida and Vanderbilt will square off for a fifth time this season to determine which club heads to the SEC Tournament Championship Game on Sunday. Florida has won all four games in the series this season, most recently a 6-2 win on Thursday thanks to a pair of BT Riopelle homers. Naturally, the Gators are the favorites heading into the weekend.
Vanderbilt is an arm deeper into its rotation, too, after playing a game against Alabama on Friday to make it into the semifinals. Florida should throw Jac Caglianone, who started his streak of quality starts against the Commodores a couple of weeks ago.
Odds are that Vanderbilt won’t throw to Riopelle a ton, but they might have to if the top of the order — Wyatt Lanford, Caglianone and Josh Rivera — can put some offense together ahead of him.
A win would put Florida in the championship game of the tournament. UF would face either Arkansas or Texas A&M. That game will be played ahead of Florida’s contest, so the team will know what its playing for.
First pitch is set for roughly 4:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday. Here’s a look at both teams.