How to Watch: Florida baseball at Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday

Florida baseball travels to take on the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, March 25, for a doubleheader as part of a three-game weekend Southeastern Conference series inside Oxford-University Stadium at Swayze Field in Oxford, Mississippi, and if you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

The Gators started the season with a three-game sweep of the visiting Charleston Southern Buccaneers but split a home-and-home with the South Florida Bulls that saw both teams win the away game during the week. The Orange and Blue bounced back from the USF loss with a sweep of the visiting Cincinnati Bearcats two weekends ago but then split another home-and-home with the Jacksonville Dolphins last week.

Last weekend, Florida took two of three at home from the No. 22 Miami Hurricanes before sweeping a midweek series at home against the Florida Atlantic Owls. The Gators then swept the Siena Saints and a won single midweek matchup against the North Florida Ospreys before opening up SEC play with a 2-1 series win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in Gainesville last weekend before taking a single midweek matchup with the Florida State Seminoles on Tuesday.

Game 1: How to Watch

SATURDAY (2:30 p.m. EDT)

• Watch: SEC Network+

• Listen: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF

• Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Game 1: Projected Starting Pitchers

Game 1: Pitcher Notes

Brandon Sproat doesn’t lose and neither do the Gators when he’s on the mound. Coming off a career performance against ‘Bama, Sproat is looking for his 10th win in 12 starts dating back to last season. He’s put together a 2.08 ERA, 76 strikeouts and just 25 walks through that 69 1/3 inning stretch, and Florida is 11-0 in those games.

Expect another game from Florida’s ace this weekend against a team that doesn’t do great against aces.

The Rebels have some injury issues on the pitching staff, which has led to Jack Dougherty taking over the Friday night starter role so far this season. Dougherty was a major piece of the bullpen and is still finding his footing through four starts. He gave up six to Purdue and five to Vanderbilt, so expect Florida to hit him well.

Dougherty’s arsenal consists of a 90-93 mph fastball, a  mid-70s curveball and a changeup. If the breaking stuff is on, the fastball can generate some swing-and-miss, but Dougherty’s bread and butter is getting outs on contact. — David Rosenberg

Game 2: How to Watch

SATURDAY (TBD)

• Watch: SEC Network+

• Listen: ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF

• Live Stream: fuboTV (try it free)

Game 2: Projected Starting Pitchers

Game 2: Pitcher Notes

Hurston Waldrep did not have his best stuff against Alabama last week, but he still finished off the day with seven strikeouts through six innings. Four walks and seven hits led to four runs (three earned) and a loss, but Waldrep should bounce back this week. Another 10-strikeout day could be coming for the Southern Miss transfer if he can regain his control.

Grayson Saunier, a true freshman out of Collierville, Tennessee, is Ole Miss’ Saturday arm. He was drafted in the 19th round by the Texas Rangers last year, but decided to come to Ole Miss and improve his stock.

His repertoire consists of a four-seam fastball that sits about 91-93 mph, a circle changeup, a curveball and a slider that serves as his put-away pitch. He’s made five starts and finished five innings just once. Vandy and Minnesota both hit him easily, so Florida could take advantage of an unseasoned arm in SEC play here. — Rosenberg

Florida's Projected Starting Lineup

Other Players to Watch

Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Ole Miss has plenty of draft guys on the team, and the trio of catcher Calvin Harris, shortstop Jacob Gonzalez and outfielder Kemp Alderman might be at the top of that list. All three are batting above .340 and Alderman has nine home runs and 30 RBIs on the year.

Outfielder Ethan Groff is also sticking the ball really well and has 29 RBIs for the team. He leads the team with 10 stolen bases in 11 attempts as well.

The Rebels are prone to the strikeout, though. Only two players in the everyday lineup have walked more than they’ve struck out, Gonzalez and Groff. — Rosenberg

Series History

NOTES: Being on the road has not favored Florida in this series historically, but that might not matter too much this time around. The Gators are among the best teams in the country and can make a very loud statement by taking two of three from Ole Miss.

Predictions

GAME 1: Florida, 8-3

GAME 2: Florida, 7-4

SERIES: Florida will likely lose one game of the doubleheader, but winning two over the weekend is good enough to claim the series. Sproat should get the first one out of the way without major issues, but Game 2 and 3 could go either way depending on who starts for Florida. Gators battle it out and come out on top in the series, 2-1. — Rosenberg

Read more

Check out Gators Wire’s other position previews for the 2023 season:

• Catchers

• First Basemen

• Second Basemen

• Third Basemen

• Shortstops

• Otufielders

• Starting Pitchers

• Relief Pitchers

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Story originally appeared on Gators Wire