Seminoles Aim to Even Rivalry Series Against Gators Tonight

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (20-3, 5-1 ACC) face off against the Florida Gators (18-8, 0-6 SEC) tonight in a crucial neutral site matchup at Jacksonville, marking the second of three meetings this season.

Florida State hopes to even the series after falling 7-2 at home against Florida two weeks ago. Despite the absence of injured pitcher Evan Chrest, head coach Link Jarrett’s squad plans to capitalize on its bullpen depth to secure a vital win in this rivalry. A win would also mark three victories in four games against their rivals.

The Seminoles recently showcased their offensive capabilities, winning two out of three games against Miami, clinching the series with a 10-6 victory on Saturday. Over the series, Florida State hit eight home runs, including an impressive six in one game, although concerns linger as the team struggles with strikeouts and opportunities with runners in scoring position.

In contrast, Florida’s season has taken a downturn as they currently sit winless in the SEC, having been swept by Tennessee and Georgia in their last two outings. The Gators have fallen out of the top 25 rankings amidst these struggles. Coach Kevin O'Sullivan is navigating his pitching rotation with two weekend starters sidelined by injuries, leading to another bullpen game tonight.

The pitching matchup features Florida State’s sophomore right-hander John Abraham (2-0, 3.65 ERA) against a freshman left-hander from Florida yet to record a win or decision, who holds a 7.20 ERA.

John Abraham is expected to start for FSU, but fans may see a heavy workload for reliever Maison Martinez. Florida State assistant coach Jarrett is looking for improved performance from lower-leverage pitchers, particularly with Peyton Prescott unavailable due to pitch count constraints from Saturday’s game.

On the Gators’ side, Billy Barlow will not feature in the lineup as he pitched over the weekend, prompting the team to turn to a freshman for tonight’s game. The outcome may hinge on which team can manage its pitching better.

Fans can tune in to the game on ACCNX or listen on WFLA 100.7 FM.

Key players to watch include:

• Colby Shelton: .382/.453/.598 in 2025, with a standout performance of 2-3, 3 RBIs, and a walk in the last matchup.
• Blake Cyr: .333/.424/.538 in 2025, recorded 1-5 with a double in the recent contest.
• Justin Nadeau: .305/.461/.424 in 2025, contributed 2-5 with an RBI in the last game.