Though the Gators didn’t come out on top this weekend in Hoover at the SEC Tournament, their performance certainly drew some attention. Florida went 3-1 en route to the semifinals, and that included a 13-1 run-rule victory over the No. 8 team in the country in Mississippi State.
It shouldn’t be surprising that, aside from tournament champion Arkansas and runner-up Tennessee, UF has the most players on the All-Tournament Team with three.
When talking about Florida’s play this week, the first player that comes to mind is Jacob Young, who had perhaps the hottest bat in Hoover. Among players with five or more at-bats, Young finished with the highest batting average at .471 (8-for-17). He also had two home runs, a double and five RBI.
As the leadoff hitter, the Gators will need Young to stay hot heading into regional play next weekend. But luckily, the two-hole hitter isn’t a bad option, either. Nate Hickey made the switch this week from catcher to third base, a move coach Kevin O’Sullivan said would’ve been made earlier in the season had Mac Guscette not suffered an injury. Hickey shined at third defensively, and he hit a homer on a 6-of-14 week at the plate. He was rightly given a spot on the All-Tournament Team alongside Young for his efforts.
Last (but certainly not least) true freshman Sterlin Thompson continues to impress down the home stretch of the season. He’s been one of Florida’s most consistent batters this season, and he hit a homer to go with two doubles and five RBI in Hoover. In the win over MSU, he hit two extra-base hits, and in the victory against Alabama he went 3-for-4 at the plate.
Though UF’s run only resulted in the No. 15 overall national seed, its performance should be a confidence-building one heading into NCAA regionals.