GAME PREVIEW: Florida hosts Kentucky in rubber match

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Southeastern Conference series between Florida and Kentucky concludes Sunday with a rubber match at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for the afternoon under cloudy skies with a temperature of 82 degrees.

Florida (33-17) took the opener 7-6 on Friday. Kentucky (29-17) evened the series with a 4-1 victory Saturday.

The Gators turn to right-hander Aidan King, who earned the win in Friday’s series opener. King (6.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 6 K) surrendered five runs but benefited from run support and a strong bullpen. In his previous outing, King struck out 10 over seven innings in a 3-4 loss at Oklahoma. He also posted wins against Texas A&M and Auburn in April.

Kentucky will counter with right-hander Ben Cleaver. Cleaver started Friday and took the loss despite allowing one earned run over four innings. He did not surrender a hit but walked three batters. Cleaver’s best recent start came May 1 against Tennessee, when he threw seven scoreless innings in a 9-2 victory. He has struggled with command in April outings against Louisville and Auburn.

Key contributors from Friday’s Florida win included shortstop Brendan Lawson (1-for-4, 2 RBI) and right-hander Joshua Whritenour (1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 K). For Kentucky, second baseman Luke Lawrence drove in three runs on two hits, and reliever Jack Sams threw three scoreless innings.

Florida has won four of its last five games. Kentucky has dropped four of its last six.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 5-4 Florida victory.

Following Sunday’s game, Florida travels to LSU for a three-game series starting Thursday. Kentucky hosts Northern Kentucky on Tuesday before a weekend series with Arkansas.