Updated Feb. 17, 2026, 7:23 p.m. ET
The game is on in the first of a home-and-home series between the Florida Gators and Stetson Hatters at Melching Field in DeLand on Tuesday night. Gators Wire is logging the game — which is only available to watch on ESPN+ — via live blog.
Florida opened the 2026 campaign with a 2-1 series win over the UAB Blazers in Gainesville, but suffered an extra-inning defeat in the season-opener on Friday night. Nonetheless, the Orange and Blue actually moved up two spots in the D1Baseball rankings.
Stetson is winless in three tries so far to start the 2026 campaign after finishing last season with a 41-22 record, which included a pair of losses to Florida. The Hatters will be looking to trip up their in-state foes for the first time since 2024 in an all-time series that dates back to 1912.
Gators strike back after bizarre foul catch (M2: UF 3, ST 2)
Blake Cyr opens the second with a double to the deep left corner, followed by a hard hit ball by Cash Strayer — but unfortunately, it was right at the center fielder. Two hard-hit balls are still encouraging against Zane Coppersmith’s heavy breaking ball and flat fastball offerings.
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
The next play was a bizarre blooper catch by the leftfielder on a deep fly ball in foul territory, which was initially ruled a double play against the runner advancing to third base. Ultimately, the catch was confirmed but the replay showed that Cyr had waited sufficiently before leaving second base, giving Florida a second wind.
Jacob Kendall’s first collegiate hit — a single to shallow right — plated Cyr to tie the game at two apiece. That ends the day for Coppersmith.
A walk to Jones puts the leadoff hitter on base for the second time of the evening, and a liner to center by Lawson puts the Gators back in the lead. A hard grounder up the middle shortstop side by Kurland puts another runner on base before a Surowiec grounder to third ends the rally.
Florida coughs up lead on small-ball runs (E1: UF 1, ST 2)
Billy Barlow gives Stetson the same start the Gators got, allowing the leadoff hitter on with a single to center, followed by a single through the right side of the infield putting the redshirt senior in early trouble.
A fielder’s choice on an almost-double-play followed by a swinging strikeout on a nice belt-high breaking ball just outside the zone gave Barlow a chance to escape unscathed. The first-base runner advanced on an attempted double steal, setting up a two-run single on a low line drive to right to give the home team the lead.
A bunt single by the next batter rattled Florida’s veteran hurler, putting two on first and second with two outs and the lead relinquished. A routine grounder to second ends the inning before any further damage is done.
Leadoff man rounds bases, Gators get early lead (M1: UF 1, ST 0)
The game begins with a chest-high and outside 92 mph fastball swung at for a strike to Kyle Jones; two pitches later, he singles before stealing both second and third bases, coming in on a wild pitch right after the second steal for the first run of the evening.
A double off the top of the right field wall by Cade Kurland went for naught as Ethan Surowiec and Karson Bowen hit back-to-back outs to the outfielders. Brendan Lawson was responsible for the first out of the inning on a fly ball.
Pregame: Florida Gators at Melching FieldStream Florida vs. Stetson with ESPN+ 
The Florida at Stetson game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET from Melching Field in DeLand, Florida.
Florida vs. Stetson odds, money line, over/under
Odds courtesy of Hard Rock Bet as of Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Spread:Â Florida by 4.5Moneyline:Â -325 / +200Over/under:Â 14.5
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.