April 1, 2026, 12:17 p.m. ET
Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan attributed the loss to poor pitching, including nine free passes given to Jacksonville batters.A three-run eighth inning for the Dolphins ultimately sealed the victory after Florida failed to close out the inning.O’Sullivan stated the team was mentally prepared but struggled offensively, managing only five hits.
Florida baseball fell to the Jacksonville Dolphins on Tuesday night at Condron Family Ballpark, 4-3, for the Gators’ first midweek loss of the 2026 campaign.
The team’s pitching left a lot to be desired, as all five pitchers who appeared in the game struggled in one way or another. Ultimately, the offense could not build a big enough lead in the late innings, and a three-run eighth inning doomed the Orange and Blue to its seventh loss of the season.
After the game, Kevin O’Sullivan spoke with the media and offered the following thoughts on the program’s first loss to Jacksonville — which also happened at home — since 2024.
Thoughts on the pitching tonight — nine free passes
“I think we hit six and walked three, that’s not good. But we knew we were going to have to pitch some guys that hadn’t pitched in a while, because we got a short week and our bullpen was taxed over the weekend. So comes down to a couple things, we only got five hits and only scored three runs. And, we hit six guys. We wiggled our way out of the first three innings. They left a bunch of guys stranded.
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“But the disappointing part of the game is we had two outs, nobody on in the eighth, we got the eight-hole hitter up and hit him again and we’re cruising. We walked the nine-hole hitter, and then go to Coop (Walls), and we hit the lead-off hitter.
“We caused our own problems. We were one out away from getting out of the eighth with a two-run lead. So then they got a big three two-out base hit to drive in a couple. three two breaking-ball. So tip your cap to them. But I thought we played better defense tonight. Other than the wild pickoff to first, our defense was really good tonight.
“But like I said, in games like this, we can’t keep going to the same guys. We got to give them rest during the midweek, and get ready for a really good Ole Miss team.”
How disappointing is that for Cooper after losing Sunday starter status?
“I mean, he was a Sunday starter to begin with. His confidence is a little shot right now, or whatever, but he’ll get through it. It’s not ideal to use him at the end of the game, but he’s pitched in high-leverage situations before for us.
“This is one of those games that we just didn’t pitch well enough in the eighth, bottom line, with two guys that are older, honestly, or experienced. And obviously the passed ball didn’t help either.”
Was Lugo-Canchola, who was seen warming up, ever expected to come in?
“No, not today.”
What do you feel like has been missing from Cooper’s game the last couple of weeks?
“I think it’s just command, trying to figure out his pitch sequence against left-handed hitters, for sure. Lefties hitting above .300 against him. So he’ll figure it out. I’m not worried about him figuring it out. It’s just the last two times out, he just hasn’t been as sharp as he has been.”
Stanford has 5 hits now in 5 straight and appears to be more comfortable
“He’s earned the right to be in the lineup and he kind of extends our lineup. I thought he blocked some balls tonight that were difficult balls to block. I don’t want to blame him for the passed ball; we can create our own issues there. We got lucky with the hit-by-pitch that wasn’t and it was a dead ball, and he had to go back to third.
“We had our opportunities and I think we had a one-two count and they worked it back to a three-two count, so they got the big hit. So just a disappointing loss. But we’ve got to get ready for Ole Miss coming in because they’re very similar to us. They have got really good arms, they got an older lineup and it’s going to be a challenge like it is every weekend.”
How’s Ashton Wilson doing?
“I think, okay. He got a shot in his hip pointer. I would expect him to be okay for the weekend.”
Jacob Kendall got the start in left with Strayer out
“Oh, yeah, that’s why when we talked to Blake (Cyr) about taking some more balls in right field so Jacob would have enough there to play left. That’s exactly what we needed to do once Cash (Strayer) went down.”
Did Jacksonville throw anything at you that kept the offense off balance?
“I don’t know. I really do think our team was ready to play. I mean, it wasn’t like the dugout was dead. They had energy, they were into it. Once again, they only walked three, but like I said, we hurt ourselves. That’s the bottom line. And once we got the lead off walk there in the ninth and then Blake (Cyr) stung that ball to center and wind kind of held that one up. But they were in a good frame of mind all the way through the game.
“It’s just, we just didn’t hit tonight for whatever reason. Baseball will drive you crazy, you get 17 hits on Sunday against Arkansas pitching and then tonight we get five. But I’m not going to blame it on our team for not being ready to play. They were ready to play. So, you know, like I said, really boils down to the eighth inning, not closing out that inning.”
What stands out to you about Ole Miss?
“They’re an older lineup, they’ll have four or five left-hander hitters in the lineup, and a switch too. Their starting pitching is outstanding, they got a good bullpen. I think they’re very similar to us to be honest with you. I looked at their stats today and compared them to ours, both offensively and pitching-wise, very, very similar.
“They’re coming off a weekend where they’re not excited about how they play like we did against Alabama, so they’ll be ready to play. I’ve known Mike (Bianco) for years, two decades now, so he’ll have his team ready to play.”
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