GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – I find it ironic that head coach Kevin O’Sullivan saved his season by installing Caden McDonald into the lineup and then on Monday
More disappointing for @GatorsBB
1. ERA of nearly 11 in rgnl after coming in tonight at 4.52
2. Not advancing for 1st time in last 11 regionals when starting 2-0
3. Giving up 10+ runs in 3 straight postseason games for 1st time ever
4. Scoring 2 runs vs depleted Troy pitching tn
— Chris Doering (@ChrisDoering) June 2, 2026
, the season ends after he relieves his star two-way player on the bump after a stellar performance and watches his bullpen give up five more runs in the sixth inning and a three-run shot in the eighth. 10 to 2.
The Florida Gators watch their hopes of an Omaha run disappear off a decision that will haunt O’Sullivan in the offseason.
O’Sullivan chose to give the ball to Cooper Walls, who has only had nine starts and lost his Sunday start to Russell Sandefer. Walls predictably was brutal, lasting only an inning and giving up two runs in the first inning. His ERA is 7.17
Then he yanked Walls for McDonald, who was majestic through nearly five innings. He gave up only two hits, no walks, and rang up three. This all happened after Cade Kurland doubled, Kyle Jones scored a RBI single but also was tagged out at second and momentum was on Florida’s side.
But, O’Sullivan relieved McDonald after 48 pitches and it led to Troy scoring five more after Sandefer loaded them up off three walks and it led to Ernesto Lugo-Canchola giving up five more runs to put Florida in a 7-1 hole.
Coming into the regional, the Gators had one of the best pitching staffs in the SEC. After Monday, the pitching staff finished with a team ERA of over 12 in four games.
The craziest thing about this whole ordeal is that the Gators had a cake walk regional (Rider, Troy, and Miami) leading on to potentially another with Little Rock waiting for them. Their away record and late winning streak led to the national media giving Florida a chance to make it to Omaha and some even believed they could win it all.
Actions speak louder than words.
The Gators scored 43 runs, but gave up 43 as well.
7 vs. Rider, 10 vs. Miami, 26 combined in two games for Troy.
All season long, it felt like a seesaw of road victories and head-scratching series losses to the likes of High Point, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss, all at Condron Family Ballpark.
In this broadcaster’s opinion, outside of the last 12 games. It never felt comfortable that Florida would be the resurgent team to go to the College World Series.
But they were hosting a regional and would automatically host a Super Regional.
And still that was not enough.
An auspicious offseason awaits this Florida baseball program, where, for the first time in a long time, they are on shaky ground for the future.
The Florida Gators end the season at 41-21.
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