OMAHA, Neb. — The Florida Gators are 6-1 in the NCAA Tournament and on a five-game winning streak. Kevin O’Sullivan isn’t interested in messing with a winning formula, he’ll keep his same weekend rotation with freshman Liam Peterson starting game one of the College World Series. Florida and Texas A&M are scheduled to play on Saturday, June 15 at 7:00 PM ET.
Peterson has been the Gators’ best pitcher down the stretch, the reason that O’Sullivan has given for starting Peterson to open both the Regional and Super Regional.
Peterson earned Freshman All-SEC honors this season. After a shaky start to his career, Peterson has been lights out during the final month of the regular season. Dating back to April 19, Peterson has made five appearances (four starts) and leads the Gators with a 3.50 ERA and in 25.2 innings.
“I thought his breaking ball was as good as it looked all year long,” O’Sullivan said of Peterson after his start against Kentucky. “He’s always had a slider, but now he’s got the breaking ball going. He threw quite a few right-on-right changeups that most guys can’t do, and the other thing, he has the ability to throw the ball to both sides of the plate. He can locate fastballs in to right-handers, which in this day and age, a lot of pitchers have trouble doing that.”
Liam Peterson’s last in the NCAA Tournament
Peterson was great against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the Stillwater Regional. The freshman hurled 5.1 innings, allowing two runs while striking out seven. His second outing didn’t go as well. Peterson was unable to find the strike zone against the Clemson Tigers. Peterson lasted just one-plus innings, walked four batters and allowed three runs, all earned.
College World Series schedule
(All games in Eastern Standard Time)
Friday, June 14
- Virginia vs. North Carolina, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Florida State vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, June 15
- NC State vs. Kentucky, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Florida vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, June 16
- Game 5, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 6, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Monday, June 17
- Game 7, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 8, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Tuesday, June 18
- Game 9, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 10, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Wednesday, June 19
- Game 11, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Game 12, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Thursday, June 20
- Bracket 1, if necessary (TBD)
- Bracket 2, if necessary (TBD)
Saturday, June 22
- Finals, Game 1, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, June 23
- Finals, Game 2, 2 p.m. (ABC/fubo)
Monday, June 20
- Finals, Game 3, if necessary, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
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