Florida jumps out to early lead for midweek win over USF

Jac Caglianone got Florida on the board early and the Gators never looked back in a 4-1 win over South Florida Tuesday night.

Florida took the lead early Tuesday off a [autotag]Jac Caglianone[/autotag] solo home run and cruised to a 4-1 win over USF, wrapping up midweek action for the 2024 regular season.

The Gators plated a run in each of the first three innings. Hayden Yost grounded into a double play in the second to score one, and a throwing error by the Bulls’ shortstop in the third allowed Caglianone to cross the plate a second time.

Florida ended the day with 11 hits, but it was hard to score runs after the third. [autotag]Tyler Shelnut[/autotag] doubled in [autotag]Colby Shelton[/autotag] in the eighth, and that’s all the meaningful offense UF put together Tuesday night.

Still, it was enough for the bullpen to deliver the win. USF hit safely just five times, scoring on a solo homer in the sixth. [autotag]Liam Peterson[/autotag] made the start for UF, but he only went one inning after throwing four on Friday. He should fit back into Florida’s rotation, likely taking over the Game 2 slot again.

The reason that seems likely is that Kevin O’Sullivan has moved [autotag]Brandon Neely[/autotag] back into the bullpen to serve as the closer. He earned his second save of the season, facing the minimum in the ninth.

[autotag]Cade Fisher[/autotag] got the win after throwing 2 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball in relief of Peterson. [autotag]Fisher Jameson[/autotag] was next out of the ‘pen. Besides the home run, he was fine, striking out two and walking one of the eight batters he faced. [autotag]Luke McNeillie[/autotag] struck out three of the five batters he faced, and Jake Clemente faced the minimum in the eighth.

Florida hosts Kentucky on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET for the final three-game home series of the regular season.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Florida RHP Luke McNeillie wins SEC Freshman of the Week

Luke McNeillie’s dominant run out of the Florida Gators bullpen has earned him an SEC Freshman of the Week award.

Florida right-hander Luke McNeillie was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday.

McNeillie started the season as a midweek starter, but he’s since been moved to a full-time role in the bullpen. The first-year righty from Milton, Georgia, has been dominant since that change, hurling 10 scoreless innings over five appearances. McNeillie has struck out 14 batters and walked just four over that stretch.

“It’s grown for sure,” McNeillie said of his confidence over this run on Sunday. “I think the biggest thing is trying to stay myself and trust myself. It’s nice to know the coach that the coaches have trust in me to keep me in during a big moment.”

He pitched in both of Florida’s wins this weekend, holding Mississippi State in check as the Gators mounted comebacks. He went 3 1/3 innings on Sunday after throwing a quiet ninth on Friday.

FLORIDA’S 2024 SEC WEEKLY HONORS

Liam Peterson – Co-Freshman of the Week (Feb. 26)
Jac Caglianone – Co-Pitcher of the Week (March 4)
Brandon Neely – Pitcher of the Week (March 18)
Luke McNeillie – Freshman of the Week (April 1)

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Four Florida freshmen on Perfect Game’s 2026 Draft Board

Florida’s freshman class has a ton of talent, and four players are getting draft mentions early on in their collegiate careers.

The college baseball season is in full swing, which means scouts are getting in-game looks at the guys who will make up the bulk of the 2026 MLB draft.

Four Florida freshmen are standing out so far and made Perfect Game’s first in-season 2026 Draft Board.

Saturday starter Liam Peterson is looking like a first-round pick and checks in at No. 6 on this list. He’s considered the top college arm in the class, with Arkansas’ Gabe Gaeckle and LSU’s Cameron Johnson close behind. Peterson has struggled lately, but he’s still a freshman facing SEC lineups. That kind of experience is invaluable for a talented arm.

At No. 28 on the list is left-handed reliever Frank Menendez. Although his numbers haven’t been good through five appearances (20.25 ERA over 1.1 innings pitched), he’s flashed some good stuff as he finds his footing on a college mound. The Gators have used him in high-leverage and matchup situations mostly.

Right-hander Luke McNeillie is at No. 47 on the list. He started the season as a potential midweek starter for Florida, but he’s looked better in relief situations. There’s closer potential in him, but he’s got starter stuff, similar to Brandon Neely.

Rounding out the quarter of Gators on this list is outfielder Hayden Yost at No. 65 overall. Yost has appeared in more than half of Florida’s games so far, including two midweek starts against Bethune-Cookman and UCF. Yost’s glove will play at the college level, perhaps in center field, and he’s figuring things out at the plate.

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.