Gators pitch Faedo against tough hitters
GAINESVILLE – This weekend in Gainesville — or better known these days as “Rainsville” — coach Kevin O’Sullivan has no idea what the weather will bring or how many delays could be in his team’s immediate future.
Before he met with reporters Thursday to discuss the upcoming Gainesville Super Regional, O’Sullivan joked there is one weather pattern he’d like to witness — winds blowing in from left field.
To reach the College World Series for the third consecutive season, the Florida Gators’ baseball team must find a way to slow down Wake Forest’s hardhitting lineup, a collection of big bats that has produced a nation-leading 100 home runs.
But even if conditions are calm at UF’s McKethan Stadium, O’Sullivan has a counter-punch none of the 16 NCAA Tournament teams remaining may be able to match.
“They can hit, but we can pitch, so we’ll see,” O’Sullivan said. “It will be a classic matchup. It will be very interesting.”
The No. 3 seed Gators (45-17) enter the best-ofthree series with the Demon Deacons (42-18) ranked No. 27 nationally in ERA (3.60) and No. 44 in strikeouts per nine innings (8.6) while competing in the nation’s deepest baseball conference.
Individually, UF’s rotation is even more impressive, beginning with Game 1 starter Alex Faedo and ending with closer Michael Byrne, who both were named All-Americans this week.
Faedo enters today’s matchup 7-2, with a 2.70 ERA and the best winning percentage in school history among pitchers with at least 20 appearances (.813, 26-6 record).
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Faedo also is expected to be selected during the first round of Monday’s draft, yet performs without a care in the world.
“He’s always won,” O’Sullivan said. “And I think the thing that separates Alex from maybe most people in his position is he’s been able to handle all the expectations in the draft. “He’s awesome.” Behind a fastball in the 94-96 mph range to go with a nasty slider and change-up, Faedo has allowed one earned run or fewer in 10 of 16 starts.
The Tampa Alonso product also is coming off his most-impressive outing of the year, a four-hit, 10-strikeout gem during an extra-inning win against hometown USF.
“He always seems to rise to the occasion,” O’Sullivan said.
Faedo again.
The 21-year-old expected to be here, one series from a College World Series and a few days away from a professional career.
But nothing else matters to him at this point other than Wake Forest.
“You’re pitching to go to Omaha,” he said, referring to the site of the College World Series. “That’s been my ultimate goal all year.”
To get there, Faedo looks to pitch enough innings to get to Byrne, whose 16 saves are tied for most in the nation and a UF record.
The growth of the former Orlando Olympia High standout has been the biggest surprise of the Gators’ season.
Byrne, a sophomore, began the season in a development role as a midweek starter, but he answered the call when O’Sullivan needed a closer. Unlike most closers, though, Byrne does not overpower hitters with non-stop fastballs. Instead, he mixes his pitches.
“There’s something he does that hitters just don’t pick up,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s a little less conventional, but it works.” is ready to rise
Centerfielder Ryan Larson is expected to return against Wake Forest.
Larson, a senior from Orlando Dr. Phillips, has been out since May 26, when he was hit by a pitch during an SEC Tournament game against Mississippi State.