The No. 10 Florida Gators hit the road Friday to start their weekend series against undefeated No. 17 Miami.

The Gators have won nine straight coming off a two-game series swept against FIU. It’s the second longest streak in the country, only beaten by Miami’s run of 10 straight wins.

In that series, the Gators rained in a season high 17 runs in Tuesday’s game with a combined total of 28 hits and runs in the series. 

Gators shortstop Brendan Lawson headed the series with five hits and 10 RBIs.

The Hurricanes lead the series by a game with a 131-132-1 series record. However, the Gators are 7-3 in the last 10 matchups.

One of Florida’s weekend starters, Cooper Walls, the Hawaii transfer and 2025 Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year, is expected to make his third start of the season. Both his starts have come from weekend series, one against UAB and the other against Kennesaw State. 

This will be his first trip as a Gator to Coral Gables.

“Got to go out there and give it your best,” Walls said. “It might get a little chirpy.”

Walls has a 4.82 ERA on 9.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts. 

Miami has three hitters with batting averages at or over .500, Dylan Dubovik (.750), Derek Williams (.563) and Alonzo Alvarez (.500).

Off the bat for the Gators, centerfielder Kyle Jones has been raking it in with a team high .487 batting average, 19 hits and an SEC leading 19 runs. The second year Gator has had four straight games with a hit and run.

Florida’s shortstop Brendan Lawson has been at work this season with a .469 batting average and 19 RBIs which leads the Gators and is third in the SEC.

The Hurricanes have six pitchers with an ERA below 4.00 and will have to deal with the swinging Gators.

Miami’s ace AJ Ciscar has 2.46 ERA only allowing three runs this season. Ciscar came in relief twice in Florida and Miami’s last series pitching 1.2 innings allowing two runs.

The Hurricanes are the first ranked team the Gators will face and will be tested against Ciscar’s strong arm.

You can listen to each game on WRUF 98.1FM/850 AM 103.7 HD-2 starting with Friday’s opener at 6:55 p.m.

Category: Baseball, College Baseball, Gators Baseball