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Liam Peterson will start against Nebraska in Regional opener

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•05/29/24•

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Florida Gators pitcher Liam Peterson (UAA Communications)
Florida Gators pitcher Liam Peterson (UAA Communications)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators manager Kevin O’Sullivan will turn to freshman Liam Peterson this Friday to open the NCAA Tournament. Peterson will face Big Ten Tournament Champion Nebraska

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 2.33 ERA and .211 batting average against in 19 1/3 frames. The right-hander from Palm Harbor, Fla. is 1-0 in that span with just 15 hits allowed, nine walks, and 20 strikeouts.

“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.”
 
Overall, Peterson enters the postseason with a 2-4 record and 5.83 ERA, although his .251 BAA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine paint an even better picture. As a true freshman, he ranks second on the roster in innings pitched (54.0) and games started (12) behind Caglianone.

Peterson will work against a Nebraska lineup that makes a lot of contact, and work counts and when they get on base they are looking to move runners over. The Huskers have also stolen 91 bases.

Nebraska is going with their ace, Brett Sears on Friday. Sears was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year with a 9-0 record and a 2.00 ERA.

Florida Gators schedule in the Stillwater Regional

Friday, May 31
Game One: 3 p.m. ET* – Florida vs. Nebraska (ESPN+)
Game Two: 7 p.m. ET* – Niagara vs. Oklahoma State (ESPN+)

Saturday, June 1
Game Three: 2 p.m. ET* – Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two
Game Four: 7 p.m. ET* – Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two

Sunday, June 2
Game Five: 2 p.m. ET* – Loser Game Four vs. Winner Game Three
Game Six: 7 p.m. ET* – Winner Game Four vs. Winner Game Five

Monday, June 3
Game Seven (if necessary): TBA* – Winner Game Six vs. Loser Game Six
*All times subject to change based on TV

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