Gators not taking Rattlers lightly as NCAA Regional opener approaches

Jeremy Barlow at bat against UF in 2014

Making its 31st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Regional appearance and school-record eighth in a row under Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan, the top-seeded University of Florida (44-16) will face fourth-seeded FAMU (23-23) at 7 p.m.

Back in 2014, FAMU upset the then No. 6-ranked Gators 4-3 in Gainesville. The two teams did not meet during this year’s regular season because their scheduled game was rained out.

O’Sullivan said he and his players are ready for the Rattler team coached by Jamey Shouppe. Shouppe’s team won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) title this year and earned its first-ever NCAA Regional tournament berth.

“He’s a done a terrific job,” O’Sullivan said of Shouppe. “To do what they did last year and then to take another step forward to get to a Regional, it speaks volumes for the job he’s done and I’m really happy for him.”

UF sophomore Peter Alonso said he’s looking forward to an opportunity to help his team achieve redemption from the disappointing 2014 loss to FAMU.

“It’s going to be good to get some redemption, especially [after] last year how it ended with FAMU,” Alonso said.