The Florida Gators baseball team is gearing up for an exciting 2026 season. With fall practice commencing on October 6th at Condron Family Ballpark, fans are eager to see what this year’s squad has in store. The team welcomes a mix of returning talent and promising newcomers, setting the stage for a competitive campaign. However, the season begins with Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan serving a suspension, adding an early challenge for the Gators.
This article provides a comprehensive preview of the 2026 Gators baseball season, covering key dates, roster updates, and coaching adjustments. We’ll delve into the team’s strengths, highlight new players to watch, and analyze the impact of O’Sullivan’s suspension. Stay tuned for an in-depth look at what to expect from the Gators on the diamond this year.
Fall Practice and Exhibition Games
The 2026 Florida Gators baseball team officially begins fall practice on Monday, October 6th, at Condron Family Ballpark. All practices and intrasquad scrimmages are open to the public, allowing fans to get a first look at the team’s progress. An updated weekly schedule, including approximate practice and scrimmage times, will be posted on FloridaGators.com and @GatorsBB social channels.
Adding to the excitement, the Gators have scheduled two exhibition games. The first is a Halloween night matchup against Jacksonville University at Vystar Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida. Following that, Florida will host Georgia Southern at Condron Family Ballpark on Sunday, November 9th. Start times and ticketing information for the Florida-JU game will be announced later.
Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s Suspension
Athletics Director announced a three-game suspension for Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan at the start of the season. This suspension stems from his actions during the 2025 NCAA Conway Regional. O’Sullivan has accepted full responsibility for his behavior, and the suspension is set for February 13-15, 2026, against UAB.
“The suspension announced today reinforces Florida Athletics’ commitment to our standards, with Coach O’Sullivan accepting full responsibility for his behavior,” Stricklin said. “Sully has vowed to learn from the experience and serve as a better leader moving forward.”
Key Returning Players
Florida welcomes back 22 players from the previous year’s NCAA Regional squad. Among them are five positional starters: first baseman , second baseman , left fielder , center fielder , and right fielder . Regular contributors and are also returning, as is rising junior outfielder , who missed most of last season due to injury.
The return of these experienced players provides a solid foundation for the 2026 season, offering both offensive and defensive stability. Their leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through the challenges ahead.
Impactful Newcomers
The Gators have bolstered their roster with several key transfers, including Second Team All-Big 12 catcher Karson Bowen (TCU), 2025 Ivy League Player of the Year Sam Miller (Columbia), 2025 Northwoods League MVP Ethan Surowiec (Ole Miss), and outfielder Jaden Bastian (Jacksonville). Catchers Cole Stanford (Lenoir-Rhyne) and AJ Malzone (Wabash Valley College) also join the team.
These additions bring a wealth of talent and experience to the Gators, strengthening the team’s depth and competitiveness. Their ability to quickly integrate into the team will be essential for a successful season.
Pitching Staff Overview
The strength of the 2026 Florida roster lies in its starting rotation, led by presumed staff ace and 2025 Freshman All-American . Key returners include right-handers , , , , , , and in addition to southpaw . Rising redshirt freshmen and are also back after missing the 2025 campaign due to injuries.
Adding further depth, the Gators welcome Division II First Team All-American left-hander Ernesto Lugo-Canchola (Northwest Nazarene), 2025 Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Cooper Walls (Hawaii), right-hander Russell Sandefer (UCF), and righty Ricky Reeth (Notre Dame).
2025-26 Florida Baseball Newcomers
| 2025-26 Florida Baseball Newcomers | |||||
| # | Player | Pos. | B/T | Class | Hometown / High School / Previous School |
| 0 | Jaden Bastian | OF | R/R | JR | Winter Garden, Fla. / The First Academy / Jacksonville |
| 34 | Eli Blair | LHP | L/L | FR | Panama City Beach, Fla. / J.R. Arnold |
| 14 | Karson Bowen | C | R/R | SR | Anaheim Hills, Calif. / Orange Lutheran / TCU |
| 35 | Jackson Hoyt | LHP | L/L | FR | Brooksville, Fla. / Nature Coast Technical |
| 43 | Jacob Kendall | OF | L/R | FR | St. Augustine, Fla. / A3 Academy |
| 32 | Rivers Kurland | LHP | R/L | FR | Tampa, Fla. / Berkeley Prep |
| 44 | Ernesto Lugo-Canchola | LHP | L/L | GR | Pleasant Grove, Utah / Pleasant Grove / Utah / Northwest Nazarene |
| 28 | AJ Malzone | C | L/R | JR | Manteno, Ill. / St. Rita of Cascia / Wabash Valley College |
| 2 | Sam Miller | INF | R/R | SR | McMurray, Pa. / Peters Township / Columbia |
| 18 | Cooper Moss | RHP | R/R | FR | Panama City Beach, Fla. / J.R. Arnold |
| 6 | Nic Partridge | INF | L/R | FR | Lakeland, Fla. / Mulberry Senior |
| 31 | Ricky Reeth | RHP | L/R | RS SR | Windermere, Fla. / West Orange / Notre Dame |
| 17 | Russell Sandefer | RHP | R/R | JR | Tampa, Fla. / Robinson / Saint Leo / UCF |
| 49 | Colton Schwarz | INF | R/R | FR | Jupiter, Fla. / Jupiter |
| 45 | Minjae Seo | RHP | R/R | FR | Carrollton, Tex. / Hebron |
| 29 | Cole Stanford | C | R/R | GR | Ellerslie, Ga. / Harris County / Lenoir-Rhyne |
| 26 | Cash Strayer | OF | L/R | FR | Tampa, Fla. / Plant |
| 10 | Ethan Surowiec | INF | R/R | SO | Gulfport, Miss. / Gulfport / Ole Miss |
| 38 | Cooper Walls | RHP | R/R | SO | Carlsbad, Calif. / La Costa Canyon HS / Hawaii |
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Florida Gators baseball season promises to be an eventful one. With a blend of returning talent and impactful newcomers, the team is well-positioned for a strong showing. The early-season suspension of Coach O’Sullivan presents an initial hurdle, but the team’s depth and leadership should help navigate this challenge.
As fall practice gets underway and exhibition games approach, fans have plenty to look forward to. The Gators’ pitching rotation is expected to be among the nation’s best. Keep an eye on the newcomers as they integrate into the team. The 2026 season has the potential to be a memorable chapter in Gators baseball history.
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