How to Watch, What to Know About Florida Baseball's Series Against Ole Miss

GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- After back-to-back away series in SEC play, the Florida Gators are at home for a three-game series against Ole Miss beginning on Thursday.

While Florida looks to carry over the momentum from last week's historical sweep at Arkansas, the Gators are also looking to bounce back from a poor showing on Tuesday in a 4-3 upset loss at home to Jacksonville University.

"We had our opportunities," head coach Kevin O'Sullivan said. "... So just a disappointing loss, obviously. But we've got to get ready for Ole Miss coming in, because they're very similar to us. They got really good arms, they got an older lineup, and yeah, it's gonna be a challenge, like it is every weekend."

Here's everything you need to know about the Gators' three-game series against the Rebels.

	Thursday, April 2	Friday, April 3	Saturday, April 4
Where	Condron Ballpark, Gainesville, Fla.	Condron Ballpark, Gainesville, Fla.	Condron Ballpark, Gainesville, Fla.
When	6:30 p.m.	6:30 p.m.	7:30 p.m.
Watch	SEC Network+ (streaming only)	SEC Network+ (streaming only)	SEC Network
Radio	Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD (click here)	Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD (click here)	Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD (click here)
Pitching Matchups	UF: RHP Liam Peterson (1-1, 3.67 ERA) Ole Miss: RHP Taylor Rabe (3-1, 2.61 ERA)	UF: RHP Aidan King (3-2, 1.97 ERA) Ole Miss: LHP Hunter Elliot (3-0, 3.72 ERA)	UF: RHP Russell Sandefer (2-1, 4.24 ERA) Ole Miss: RHP Cade Townsend (2-1, 1.90 ERA)
Promotions/Giveaways	First 1,000 fans receiver Florida Baseball quarter zips	Military Appreciate Game with ROTC national anthem and pregame flyover.	First 500 students receive Florida Baseball Oasis water bottles

Need a Bounce-Back

Nearly two weeks ago, O'Sullivan heavily criticized the team's effort, body language and overall morale after getting swept by Alabama. The result was a complete flip for Florida with a win over Florida State in the midweek and its three-game sweep over Arkansas that weekend.

Tuesday, however, was anything like Florida had been playing previously.

The Florida bats, fresh off a 17-hit outing on Sunday, managed just five on Tuesday, while its shorthanded pitching rotation – the result of it being a shortened week – fell apart in the eighth inning with Billy Barlow and Cooper Walls combining to give up three runs in the eighth inning. Walls earned the loss in 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Hawai'i transfer Cooper Walls is currently Florida's Sunday starter. — Hawai'i transfer Cooper Walls needs a big weekend out of the bullpen after recent struggles. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

That being said, in a highly-contested SEC, Florida cannot afford to be hung up on Tuesday's loss and waste a valuable opportunity for a series win at home, especially considering its impressive series the week before.

"I think we do a great job at flushing losses," infielder Brendan Lawson told Florida Gators on SI. "You know, the best I've seen, honestly, on a team that I've been on. The resilience that this group has is is awesome. We're going to flush this away, and we'll be ready on Thursday night."

O'Sullivan Scouts Ole Miss

After Tuesday's loss, O'Sullivan gave a quick scouting report on the Rebels

"They'll have four or five left-handed hitters in the lineup, and obviously, a switch, too," he said. "Their starting pitching is outstanding. They got a good bullpen. I think they're very similar to us, to be honest with you. I looked at their stats today and compared them to ours, both offensively and pitching-wise, and they're very, very similar... They'll be ready to play. I've known Mike (Bianco) for years, obviously two decades now, so he'll have his team ready to play."

Headlining Ole Miss' bats is outfielder Tristan Bissetta, who leads the team with a .333 batting average and is eighth in the country with 14 home runs, while their starters on the mound each have winning records with an ERA no higher than 3.72.

Aidan King, Cooper Walls on Notice

Speaking of needing a bounce-back, starter Aidan King will need a big performance on Friday after recent struggles in his last two outings. Starting the season with a 0.00 ERA across his first five starts, the sophomore has give up seven earned runs in his last two starts combined, earning the loss in five innings at Alabama before being pulled after 3 2/3 innings against Arkansas.

Aidan King has allowed seven earned runs over his last two outings. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Meanwhile, Walls needs a big performance after losing the Sunday starter role to Russell Sandefer.

"I think it's just his command," O'Sullivan said of Walls' recent struggles. "Trying to figure out his pitch sequence against left-handed hitters. Lefties are hitting above .300 against him. So, he'll figure it out. I'm not worried about him figuring out."

As a result of using Schuyler Sandford, Caden McDonald, Barlow and Walls, Florida will have nearly all of its usual pitching staff available for the weekend, but it remains to be seen on when Walls will be able to pitch out of the bullpen after pitching on Tuesday.

Contributors Emerging

The injury bug and other issues has caused some lineup changes for Florida, but it appears that two players are taking advantage of their opportunities.

Catcher Cole Stanford, who primarily is the designated hitter on weekends while Karson Bowen catches, has emerged as a threat at the plate, riding a five-game hitting streak into Thursday with two home runs in his last three games. He hit Florida's lone long ball on Tuesday, after which O'Sullivan said he had "earned the right" to be in the lineup.

"I think the biggest thing is being able to get consistent ABs," Stanford said. "I know it's tough coming to a school like this and earning a spot in the lineup consistently every day, and we're all working for that, and I think being able to do that has helped out a lot.

Cole Stanford is riding a five-game hitting streak. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

Meanwhile, infielder Kolt Myers has taken advantage of his opportunities at third base, becoming a reliable defensive presence in an infield that has struggled throughout the season and is currently missing freshman Colton Schwarz due to injury. On Tuesday, he had multiple impressive defensive plays and has added three hits across the last two games.

"He's a special player," Lawson said. "It's nice to see him putting it all together. He's a grinder. So, it's great to see it paying off for him."

Kolt Myers has started three of the last four games for the Florida Gators at third base. — Kolt Myers has emerged as a consistent defender at third base. | Kyle Lander / Florida Gators on SI

In the outfield, Florida is relying on freshman Jacob Kendall and veteran Ashton Wilson as Cash Strayer sits out due to a hand injury. Wilson, who missed Tuesday's game with his own injury, should be available for the series, O'Sullivan said.