Gators Prepare for Rematch with East Carolina After King’s Stellar Showing and More Team Highlights
CONWAY, S.C. — The Florida Gators head into a crucial NCAA Tournament rematch against East Carolina on Sunday afternoon, with momentum on their side following an impressive win Saturday. The Gators kept their postseason dreams alive thanks in large part to freshman pitcher Aidan King, who gave a standout performance that doubled as a heartfelt birthday gift for his mother.
Florida (39-21) faces East Carolina (34-26) in a must-win showdown at 1 p.m. ET on ESPNU in the Conway Regional, hosted by Coastal Carolina. The Gators had previously stumbled against the Pirates on Friday, giving up a nine-run deficit in an 11-6 loss that sent them to the loser’s bracket. But on Saturday, the team bounced back forcefully with a dominant 17-2 victory over Fairfield.
At the heart of Saturday’s win was King, a freshman right-hander from Jacksonville, Fla., who delivered the best outing of his young collegiate career. Taking the mound with poise, King threw eight innings, allowing only four hits, one run, and two walks while striking out seven. His 94-pitch performance was not only effective but remarkably efficient.
Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan praised King’s effort and shared a light-hearted anecdote about King’s mother, Tracy.
“I think his mom was actually mad I didn’t send him back out in the ninth,” O’Sullivan joked. “She really wanted to see him finish it. Tell her I apologize.”
Despite not completing the game, King gave his mother a birthday memory she won’t soon forget.
Saturday’s performance marked King’s seventh win of the season, tying him with Logan Shore (2014) for the most wins by a Gator freshman starter in over a decade. The outing also came during his NCAA Tournament debut, highlighting how quickly King is proving himself on college baseball’s biggest stage.
King showed strong command early, aided by a solid defense that turned two key double plays in the first three innings. He surrendered his only run in the fourth inning when Fairfield’s Matt Bucciero launched a solo home run that briefly tied the game 1-1. After that, King locked in, retiring 14 of the final 16 batters he faced before being replaced in the ninth inning by seldom-used reliever Felix Ong.
O’Sullivan noted that King didn’t want to come out and even tried to avoid the coach in the dugout.
“He tried to hide from me,” O’Sullivan said with a smile. “But I found him. He earned the rest.”
King’s calm demeanor and consistent approach were evident postgame. He explained that he didn’t approach the must-win game any differently than usual.
“My mindset is always the same,” King said. “Get ahead early, pound the zone, trust the defense, and keep the pitch count low. Everything felt good. It was just about making quality pitches when it mattered.”
King added that pitching with a comfortable lead allowed him to be aggressive, helping him control the pace and rhythm of the game.
He now holds a 7-2 record with a 2.58 ERA across 17 appearances (12 starts). Saturday’s game was his first since the regular season finale against Alabama two weeks ago. Before that, he tossed seven scoreless innings against then-No. 1 Texas, another performance that hinted at his rising potential.
O’Sullivan highlighted the Texas outing as a turning point in King’s development.
“That was the game where I knew he was different,” O’Sullivan said. “He threw seven shutout innings against the No. 1 team in the country. He’s just so composed. He does all the little things right—fields his position, controls the running game, keeps hitters off-balance. He’s a bit of a throwback.”
Although King didn’t necessarily have overpowering stuff on Saturday, his command and approach made the difference. His ability to get outs when needed, coupled with Florida’s explosive offense, helped turn a potentially tense elimination game into a runaway victory.
Florida’s offensive support was equally critical. Outfielder Blake Cyr had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI. Cyr, who’s become a key part of the lineup, said there’s a boost of confidence whenever King is announced as the starter.
“You just know what to expect with him,” Cyr said. “He always brings it. When Sully says King’s pitching, we feel good about our chances.”
The win over Fairfield was a team effort, but King’s poise and performance stood out as the driving force. His emergence has been vital to the Gators’ success down the stretch, especially after the team moved Jake Clement into a bullpen role to stabilize the pitching staff.
Now, with another elimination game looming, Florida hopes to carry Saturday’s momentum into Sunday’s matchup against East Carolina. The Pirates already beat the Gators once in this regional, and Florida must now defeat them twice to advance. However, with King leading the way and the bats showing signs of life, there’s cautious optimism surrounding this resilient squad.
The stakes are high, but Saturday’s performance provided the confidence Florida needed. Whether it was King pitching with maturity beyond his years, the team’s explosive offensive output, or the spirite good support from the dugout, the Gators showed they’re not ready to go home just yet.
And for Aidan King, he will be a day to remember—not only for what it meant to his team, but also for giving his mom the best birthday present she could’ve asked for: a win to keep the season alive.
