We welcome the Dolphins to town with their 7-12 (2-1) record. JU started ASUN conference play at home last weekend vs. Stetson. TV: SEC Network + (on-line) Radio: WRUF 850 AM / 98.1 FM Listen Live - ESPN 98.1 FM - 850 AM WRUF Stats: StatBroadcast Live Stat Feed Game Notes: 3 19 Jacksonville (PDF) - Florida Gators Weather: 60 Deg at the start and 51 at finish. No precip expected. Wind starting from E and moving to W, but at 3-4 mph no one will notice. Starting Gator: #13 RsJr RHP Slater (3.05, 1-0, 20.2 IP) Starting Earl: #44 Jr RHP Barquin (10.38, 0-1, 17.1 IP) Go Gators!
Thanks Gal. Very interested to see who our starter is. Philpott, McNellie, Slater, or someone else. I’m sure we will see Slater at some point. Maybe he closes as Neely definitely will be watched and monitored as to whether or not he can go next week or at least that’s just what I think Sully would do after a reporting of sore bicep.
JU has won 2 of 3 over Cincinnati, lost to FSU, lost 2 of 3 to Delaware, lost to Georgia Southern, lost 2 of 3 to Ball State, beat Valparaiso, lost to USF, lost 3 to Cal State-Fullerton, lost to Bethune-Cookman, then won 2 of 3 over Stetson. Team BA is .265, slugging .404, 12 HR, 90 BB, 188 K's, 29-34 SB. They are fielding at .970. Team ERA is 6.98, WHIP 1.74, 24 HR, 93 BB, 166 K's, .291 BA against.
I think Slater should be held to only 40 pitches or less. Thinking he may need to rotate to a weekend starter spot considering Cade Fisher's production so far.
I think he'll be limited tonight so that he'll be available for a couple of middle relief appearances over the weekend. He's crucial in that role against SEC teams, IMO. I think Sully will stick with Fisher on Friday nights. If a new starter is going to be inserted, I think it'll for for Saturday and my guess is that it would be McNeillie. Just my opinions.
I like the Slater move. It’s the first inning that this team has been trounced on repeatedly. UF is also a very good first inning team, so if we can grind out some runs and keep the opposing team off the scoreboard then it may take some pressure off the freshman. Fisher was solid as a reliever last year but has struggled in his starts. Maybe the young arms coming in as relievers open the opportunity for more success. Plus these mid week games haven’t been kind as Sully stated, he “is tired of losing”. Just as an arm seat spectator but I like the thought process on this.
That makes sense, but I have been wondering if Neeley would love the Saturday role... IF McNeillie proves he can handle the closer role. Just spitballin.
Gator Line Up: #4 Kurland 2B #14 Caglianone 1B #10 Shelton SS #28 Heyman C #2 Evans RF #6 Shelnut 3B #15 Russell LF #29 Donay DH #50 Guy CF #13 Slater SP
Dolphin lineup #3 Gale CF #22 Edmonds LF #6 Nadeau 2B #30 Steidl 1B #10 Masters 3B #9 Delgado RF #15 Howard DH #42 Spelman C #5 Hentz SS #44 Barquin SP