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Florida starting pitcher Aidan King and outfielder Hayden Yost spoke to the SEC Now crew following the Gators' 8-3 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores on Wednesday afternoon.
King went 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball, running into some trouble in his final frame of work. The SEC Pitcher of the Year was on a pitch count in case he's needed later in the SEC Tournament, and he thanked his bullpen for coming in and shutting down the game after him. Jackson Barberi stranded a runner on third that King was responsible for, and the bullpen allowed just one hit for the rest of the day.
Yost was one of three Gators with three or more hits and a home run on the day. Florida's offensive communication and power swings have helped Florida become one of the most feared lineups in the country as the postseason begins.
Here's what they said after the win:
"We had a great approach tonight. I thought we competed well in the box, and the results show for it."
"2-0 (count). Looking to be on time for a fastball. I got it, and luckily I didn't miss it."
"I love hitting in this park. I've had some good success over the past couple of years."
"I think that's something we've done a really good job over the last couple games, communicating what the pitches look like and where they are attacking us. Allowing each and every guy to have a plan and have success up there...
"Today it was kind of, 'What was the pitch doing? Is it sinking, is it running? The cutter, is it short or more of a longer cutter?' Stuff like that, so each and everybody knows what it looks like before you get up there. That way you can form your own plan."
"That was the whole idea. I was on a pitch count, but just getting the first guy out and letting the offense get back in there and continue scoring runs was key for us. Especially with it being so hot out, just getting back inside to cool off."
"You've just got to find a way to limit the damage at that point. You can't let them get the lead back and the momentum shift towards them. Luckily, Barbs went out there and closed them out. I can't thank him enough for that."
"I didn't change anything mentally. For me, it's just like, as a Friday guy, I need to go out there and win. Obviously, a Friday night first win is huge for us. If I can go out there and win the first game and allow Liam (Peterson) to do what he does on the second day, we're set for success on Sunday."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Aidan King, Hayden Yost talk Florida baseball, SEC Tournament Round 2
Continue reading...
King went 4 2/3 innings of three-run ball, running into some trouble in his final frame of work. The SEC Pitcher of the Year was on a pitch count in case he's needed later in the SEC Tournament, and he thanked his bullpen for coming in and shutting down the game after him. Jackson Barberi stranded a runner on third that King was responsible for, and the bullpen allowed just one hit for the rest of the day.
Yost was one of three Gators with three or more hits and a home run on the day. Florida's offensive communication and power swings have helped Florida become one of the most feared lineups in the country as the postseason begins.
Here's what they said after the win:
Yost on offensive success
"We had a great approach tonight. I thought we competed well in the box, and the results show for it."
On home run
"2-0 (count). Looking to be on time for a fastball. I got it, and luckily I didn't miss it."
On hitting in Hoover
"I love hitting in this park. I've had some good success over the past couple of years."
On communication
"I think that's something we've done a really good job over the last couple games, communicating what the pitches look like and where they are attacking us. Allowing each and every guy to have a plan and have success up there...
"Today it was kind of, 'What was the pitch doing? Is it sinking, is it running? The cutter, is it short or more of a longer cutter?' Stuff like that, so each and everybody knows what it looks like before you get up there. That way you can form your own plan."
King on letting the offense work
"That was the whole idea. I was on a pitch count, but just getting the first guy out and letting the offense get back in there and continue scoring runs was key for us. Especially with it being so hot out, just getting back inside to cool off."
On mindset after Vanderbilt tied it up
"You've just got to find a way to limit the damage at that point. You can't let them get the lead back and the momentum shift towards them. Luckily, Barbs went out there and closed them out. I can't thank him enough for that."
King on midseason rotation shuffle
"I didn't change anything mentally. For me, it's just like, as a Friday guy, I need to go out there and win. Obviously, a Friday night first win is huge for us. If I can go out there and win the first game and allow Liam (Peterson) to do what he does on the second day, we're set for success on Sunday."
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Aidan King, Hayden Yost talk Florida baseball, SEC Tournament Round 2
Continue reading...
