The rivalry between Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Florida (UF) is one of the most intense in college baseball. The two teams have a long history of competition, with their matchups often deciding the fate of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Southeastern Conference (SEC) standings. The FSU vs UF baseball rivalry is fueled by the proximity of the two schools, with FSU located in Tallahassee and UF in Gainesville, just a two-hour drive apart.
History of the Rivalry
The first meeting between FSU and UF dates back to 1956, with the Seminoles winning 6-4. Since then, the two teams have played each other over 200 times, with FSU holding a slight edge in the series. The rivalry has been marked by several memorable games, including a 2012 matchup in which FSU came from behind to win 9-8 in 10 innings. The series has also seen its fair share of dominant performances, with UF’s 2017 team sweeping the Seminoles in a three-game series.
Recent Matchups
In recent years, the FSU vs UF rivalry has been marked by a series of close games. In 2020, the Seminoles took two out of three games from the Gators, with the final game being decided by a single run. The 2022 series saw UF come out on top, winning two out of three games against the Seminoles. The rivalry has also been marked by several notable individual performances, including a 2019 game in which FSU’s Reese Albert hit a walk-off home run to win the game.
| Year | FSU Wins | UF Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 | 2 |
Coaching and Player Development
The success of both FSU and UF can be attributed to their strong coaching staffs and player development programs. FSU’s Mike Martin is one of the winningest coaches in college baseball history, with over 2,000 wins to his name. UF’s Kevin O’Sullivan has also had a successful tenure, leading the Gators to several College World Series appearances. The two teams have also produced several notable players, including Major League Baseball (MLB) stars such as FSU’s Devin Travis and UF’s Mike Zunino.
Recruiting and Talent Development
Both FSU and UF have strong recruiting programs, with the two teams consistently bringing in top talent from across the country. The Seminoles have a strong pipeline of players from the state of Florida, while the Gators have been successful in recruiting players from across the Southeast. The two teams have also invested heavily in their facilities, with FSU’s Dick Howser Stadium and UF’s Condron Family Ballpark being two of the best venues in college baseball.
- FSU's recruiting class of 2020 was ranked #2 in the country by Baseball America
- UF's recruiting class of 2022 was ranked #5 in the country by Perfect Game
- Both teams have produced several NCAA All-Americans, including FSU's Reese Albert and UF's Brady Singer
What is the history of the FSU vs UF baseball rivalry?
+The FSU vs UF baseball rivalry dates back to 1956, with the Seminoles winning 6-4 in the first meeting between the two teams. Since then, the two teams have played each other over 200 times, with FSU holding a slight edge in the series.
Who are some notable players to come out of the FSU vs UF rivalry?
+Several notable players have come out of the FSU vs UF rivalry, including FSU’s Devin Travis and UF’s Mike Zunino. Both players have gone on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball (MLB).
