The UF dugout looks on during Sunday's 5-1 loss to Texas A&M at Condron Ballpark.
Carter's Corner: Gators Chasing Their Best as SEC Stretch Run Tightens
Monday, April 27, 2026 | Baseball, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — No one died or was seriously injured in Sunday's Florida-Texas A&M baseball game at Condron Ballpark — though hulking Aggies right fielder Jorian Wilson murdered a baseball and sent teammate Chris Hacopian to the bench after the two collided chasing a foul ball.
But after the Gators' 5-1 loss in the rubber game of a three-game series, a distraught air hung around the home clubhouse. In an important late-season Southeastern Conference series, the Gators fell flat after winning Game 1 on Friday night behind an outstanding start from right-hander Aidan King.
Reliever Joshua Whritenour, who turned in a stellar performance Sunday by limiting Texas A&M to one run over 3 2/3 innings – Wilson's towering home run to center field the only damage – assessed the weekend in the manner of a young, fiery competitor.
"Everything sucks right now,'' he said. "It's a hard time to be in."
Veteran UF coach Kevin O'Sullivan was in no mood to go out dancing afterward, but he has the advantages of experience and perspective. The Gators (29-16, 11-10 SEC) remain in the thick of the postseason chase and woke up Monday in a four-way tie for fifth place with Ole Miss, Arkansas and Oklahoma in the rugged SEC.
Following a 9-2 win on Friday over the Aggies, Florida managed only five runs the rest of the weekend. Starter Liam Peterson lasted only five innings Saturday, and on Sunday, the Gators committed a couple of errors, had a runner thrown out at the plate, and failed to connect on a healthy dose of fastballs from the A&M bullpen.
O'Sullivan has watched that movie too much of late.
"Pretty typical of the way we've been losing games,'' he said. "That pretty much sums it up, and it's disappointing."
Since sweeping Arkansas on the road in late March to reach a season-high 17 games over .500 (23-6), Florida is 6-10 and has dealt with various injuries to key players. Sunday was no different as shortstop Brendan Lawson, the heartbeat of the lineup when healthy, was scratched late due to illness. Corner infielder Ethan Surowiec has an injured thumb, reliever Jackson Barberi (oblique) has not pitched since April 3, and outfielder Cash Strayer (hand) has been out since March 28.
Injuries happen and open the door for others. For the Gators, inconsistency and uncharacteristic defensive miscues have been the primary culprits. The left side of Florida's infield has committed 24 of UF's 49 errors, topped by Lawson's 10 at shortstop, and 14 from the collection of players O'Sullivan has rotated at third base, including Surowiec (five of his seven errors have come at third), Sam Miller (4), Kolt Myers (4) and Colton Schwarz (1).
Meanwhile, the Gators are hitting .289 against nonconference opponents but 50 points less (.239) against SEC pitching.
Gators head coach Kevin O'Sullivan and Texas A&M coach Michael Earley meet with the umpires before the start of their weekend series at Condron Ballpark. (Photo: Alan Youngblood/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
O'Sullivan has taken nine UF teams to Omaha during his 19-season tenure. He's had elite teams favored to win the national championship from the first pitch, and a team that started 1-11 in SEC play last season before rallying to make the NCAA Tournament.
It's no mystery in his eyes what these 2026 Gators must do to snap out of their funk.
"We've got to show professionalism and be ready to go,'' he said. "We can't look ahead. We can't look behind. If we're not focused, we could end up in a bad spot."
The day before the Texas A&M series, O'Sullivan had a team meeting to remind the Gators who they were. He suggested cutting down on some of the in-game antics, studying the scouting reports more closely and locking in the moment you arrive at the ballpark.
"Not to take away from the fun. I want them to enjoy the game. But sometimes when you're not playing well, those things need to be addressed'' O'Sullivan said. "There were some things going on in the dugout that kind of take away from concentration and focus, with the overhead clapping and stuff like that, doing stuff at second base after doubles. There are some things we've gotten away from our identity a little bit."
To get his message across, O'Sullivan called on the words of Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter, a stickler for preparation during his 20-year career.
"Preparation allows you to perform under control,'' O'Sullivan reminded his team. "When you're not prepared, it brings anxiety, and you're not ready for your opponent."
The Gators responded in winning fashion behind King, but the feel-good vibes from Friday night had faded as the Gators left the ballpark on Sunday afternoon. Still, they are in a good position if they can heat up with 10 regular-season games remaining, starting this weekend with a three-game road trip to Oklahoma.
The Gators have lost two consecutive series, but they are tied with Alabama and Georgia Tech for the national lead in wins (13) against RPI Quad 1 teams. They know when they play their best, they can beat anybody. Getting back to playing their best is what the Gators are chasing.
O'Sullivan understands there are no shortcuts to Omaha and won't sugarcoat the message.
"This league this year, there's so much parity. Every mistake gets magnified — mental mistakes, physical mistakes, walks in key moments,'' O'Sullivan said. "I'm not looking at anything favorable, honestly. I'm just worried about our team and how we can improve. I'm not looking at it any other way.
"I'll watch Oklahoma. They're going to be a handful. They can pitch, they can play defense, and they run the bases extremely aggressively. So, we'll have a lot of work to do this week to prepare for them."
If the Gators can get back on track, their mood will undoubtedly improve.
