No. 1 Gators’ 2021 schedule released
GAINESVILLE — The Florida Gators baseball team has a new stadium, a No. 1 ranking and finally a chance to pick up where it left off last season.
The Gators will open the 2021 campaign Feb. 19-21 against in-state rival Miami to christen their $65 million Florida Ballpark at Alfred A. McKethan Field, UF announced Tuesday.
Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad was on track to make a run at its second national title in 2020 during the team’s final season at McKethan Stadium. The Gators opened with a program-record 16-0 start before dropping a midweek game 2-0 to Florida State, ending the third-longest winning streak in UF program history.
The loss also snapped the Gators’ 11-game win streak in the series against the Seminoles. The two rivals will meet again this season three times, once at each campus and another time at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Gators also will play the traditional three-game SEC weekend series. League coaches recently voted on whether to adjust the schedule due to the pandemic. Among the proposals were the elimination of midweek games and four-game conference series, but the schedule ultimately remained unchanged.
The series with No. 6 Ole Miss also could shift from April 2-4 to April 1-3 due to Easter Sunday.
The Gators Ticket Office is allowing current season ticket holders who wish to attend games to choose seats for this year. Beginning in early February, others will be able to purchase single-game seats based on availability.
All seat locations will follow the six-feet physical distancing guidelines and will be sold in pods.
Complete information about fan safety, health protocols, new ballpark amenities, concessions and the game-day experience will be released at a later date.
For more information, visit floridagators.com or call the Gators Ticket Office at 352-375-4683 and ask for extension 6843.