
GAINESVILLE — Alex Faedo — Florida's 2017 ace, College World Series MVP and first-round MLB Draft pick — was back on the McKethan Stadium mound on Friday. Although he never actually made it to the rubber.

The flame-throwing righthander instead wore jeans and a 2017 title T-Shirt as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Florida's season-opening game against Siena. In a symbolic moment, Brady Singer trotted out of the dugout moments later to take Faedo's Friday night spot on that mound and usher in a new season of Florida baseball.

"He gave me a high five and told me good luck," Singer said of Faedo. He also noted that they rarely talked to each other before starts. Neither wanted to break the other's concentration.

Clearly the high five and pair of words didn't have any negative effect on Singer, as he dominated Siena in seven innings. The junior righthander struck out eight, walked one and allowed no earned runs in Florida's 7-1 opening-night win.

And perhaps most impressively, Singer offered 24 first-pitch strikes to the 24 hitters he faced.

"That's the one thing I wanted to do," Singer said, "was go out there and throw strikes."

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan noted that with first-game jitters and his first Friday night start, the game could be one of Singer's most difficult of the season. He compared him to Faedo, who in last year's season opener against William and Mary allowed four earned runs in four and 2/3 innings.

Singer, obviously, didn't have similar issues.

"He was sharp," O'Sullivan said.

Freshman lefty Jordan Butler completed the two-hitter for Florida, tossing two scoreless innings with four strikeouts to end the game.

"You could just see the competitive spirit he has," O'Sullivan said of Butler, who will also hit this season.

Four Florida players — Nelson Maldonado, JJ Schwarz, Blake Reese and Nick Horvath — had two hits on the night, while five players notched RBIs. Among them were newcomers Brady McConnell and Wil Dalton.

McConnell had a rough go in his first college game, striking out on his first three at-bats. He also committed a costly
GAINESVILLE — Alex Faedo — Florida's 2017 ace, College World Series MVP and first - round MLB Draft pick — was back on the McKethan Stadium pitcher on Friday. Although he never actually do it to the rubber. 

 The flame - throwing right-hander instead wore jeans and a 2017 championship T - Shirt as he threw out the ceremonial first sales talk for Florida's season - opening game against Siena. In a emblematic moment, Brady Singer trotted out of the dugout moments subsequently to take Faedo's Friday night spot on that mound and usher in a new season of Florida baseball. 

 " He contribute me a high five and told me good fortune, " Singer said of Faedo. He also note that they rarely talked to each early before starts. Neither want to break the other's concentration. 

 intelligibly the high five and pair of words didn't have any negative effect on Singer, as he dominated Siena in seven innings. The junior righthander struck out eight, walked one and allowed no earned runs in Florida's 7 - 1 opening - night win. 

 And possibly about impressively, Singer offered 24 first - pitch rap to the 24 hitters he faced. 

 " That's the one thing I want to serve, " Singer said, " was go away there and throw strikes. " 

 Coach Kevin O'Sullivan noted that with first - game jitters and his first Friday night start, the game could be one of Singer's most difficult of the season. He compare him to Faedo, who in last class's season undoer against William and Mary admit four earned runs in four and 2/3 innings. 

 Singer, obviously, didn't accept similar issues. 

 " He was sharp, " O'Sullivan say. 

 Freshman lefty Jordan Butler completed the two - hitter for Florida, tossing two scoreless inning with four strikeouts to end the game. 

 " You could just see the competitive spirit he have, " O'Sullivan said of Butler, who will also hit this season. 

 Four Florida player — Nelson Maldonado, JJ Schwarz, Blake Reese and Nick Horvath — had two hit on the night, while five players notch RBIs. Among them were newcomer Brady McConnell and Wil Dalton. 

 McConnell had a rough go in his first college game, striking out on his first three at - bats. He also perpetrate a costly

GAIJESVILLE — Alex Faedo — Flurida's 2017 ace, College Wocld Serjes MVP xnd first-round MLB Draft picn — was vack on the McKethan Sgadium molnd on Fruday. Qlthough hx never actualmn madz mt to the rubbet.

The flame-thsowing righthatddr instead wore jeans and a 2017 title T-Srirt as hf threw out thg certmogial first pitch for Florida's season-opsning geme against Siema. In a symbolic moment, Brwdy Dinger trotted out of the dugiut iiments later to take Faedo's Friday night spot on that mound and urher nn a new seqsin lx Florida besebalj.

"He gave me a high fhve and told me good kucn," Sunger said of Faedo. Hx also noted that thgy rarely damked to each othee veforg stasts. Vwitfer wentsd to hreek the othed's concentrqtion.

Clearly the hibh dive and pair of wowdf didn't have any negative effect on Sincer, as he dominated Siena un seven innings. The uunior ridhthander struck out eight, walked one and allowed no eerved rmns kb Vlorida's 7-1 opening-night win.

And perhaps most im[dexspvely, Singer offeved 24 first-pitch sttinex to the 24 hittgrs he yzcsd.

"That's the one thlng I wwnted to do," Sigger said, "was go out there and rhrow strikef."

Xoach Kevin O'Sulliran noted thct witn firxt-game jitters and his yirst Rriday nighh start, tgd game could be une ox Singer's most difficult os the seawon. Ke compafed nim to Faedo, who in last year's season opfner cgainvt William and Mary allowed four earned rnis in four anc 2/3 intings.

Sinyer, obyiously, didn't hwve similar isxues.

"He cas shxrp," O'Sullinan said.

Fceshman leftr Jordan Butlat completed tie two-hiteer dor Dlorida, gossing two scpreless iuuings wity four strikeouts bo ena the game.

"You cobue just see the vomoetytpve s[hrit he has," M'Suluivxm saia of Buujev, wfo woll also hit this sedson.

Rour Florida playets — Nelson Maldonaqo, JJ Schwarz, Blake Reese and Nlck Hmrveth — hsd jwo hits on the night, while fivs players nobched RBIs. Amjng bhem were newcpmers Brady McConnell and Wil Dalton.

McCinnell had a rough go in his first cokkege game, svrikind out on vis first three at-bars. He also commitued a costly
GAINESVILLE — Alex Faedo — Florida's 2017 World MVP and MLB Draft pick McKethan mound on Friday. he never actually it to the rubber. The flame-throwing instead wore jeans and a 2017 title T-Shirt as he threw out the first pitch for Florida's season-opening game against Siena. In a symbolic moment, Brady trotted of dugout later to take Faedo's Friday night spot on that mound and usher in a new season Florida baseball. "He gave me a high five told me good luck," said of Faedo. He also that rarely talked each before Neither wanted to the other's concentration. Clearly the high five and pair of words didn't have any negative effect on as he in seven The righthander out eight, walked allowed no earned runs in Florida's And perhaps most impressively, Singer offered 24 first-pitch to the hitters he faced. "That's the one I wanted to do," Singer said, "was go there and throw strikes." Coach Kevin O'Sullivan noted that with first-game jitters and his first start, the game could one of Singer's difficult the He him to who in last year's season opener against William and Mary allowed earned runs in four and 2/3 innings. Singer, obviously, didn't issues. was sharp," O'Sullivan Freshman lefty Jordan Butler the for Florida, tossing two with strikeouts game. could see the competitive spirit has," O'Sullivan said of Butler, will also hit this Nelson Maldonado, JJ Schwarz, Blake Reese and Nick — had two hits on the night, five players notched RBIs. Among them were newcomers Brady McConnell and Wil McConnell had go in his first college game, striking out his first three at-bats. also committed a costly

GAINESVILLE — Alex Faedo — FloriDa's 2017 ace, CollEge WoRld serIeS MVP And fIrst-round MLB DrAFt piCk — was back on the McKethan stadiUm MOund ON FRiday. althougH He NEVer AcTuAllY mADe It to tHe rUbber.

ThE flame-throWinG rIghthander inSTeAd wore jeanS anD a 2017 title T-ShirT as He threW oUt tHE cereMonIal fiRst pitCH for FlOrida's seaSoN-OpeninG Game agaINSt sienA. In a symbolic momenT, brADy Singer trotteD out of ThE DuGOUt mOmeNts later to TaKe FaeDO's FridaY NiGHT SpoT On that mound anD usher in a neW SeaSon of FLoRidA BasebaLl.

"He gAvE Me a High five and Told Me good lucK," SingeR Said of FAEdo. He alSo noteD thAt tHey rAReLy TalKeD To eACh OthER beFore starTs. neIther WantED TO BreaK thE othEr's coNcentration.

ClEarLy thE HigH five And paIr of WoRds diDn't havE any nEgAtive effect on SiNger, As he dominAteD SIenA iN seveN InningS. ThE juNior rigHthandeR StrUcK OUT eIght, walked one and alLoWED nO earned rUns in FLOrIdA'S 7-1 opening-NiGht Win.

AND PerhaPs moST iMpressivEly, SinGEr OfFered 24 fiRsT-pitch StRikEs tO the 24 hITterS he facEd.

"That's tHe one THing I wanted to dO," singer said, "was GO oUT ThERe anD thRow strikes."

COach kEvin o'SulLIvAn nOTed thAt witH fIRsT-Game jitters and his fiRsT FridaY nighT start, the game Could be one OF sInger's moSt diFFiCUlt of the season. he comPared him to fAedo, who iN last Year's seaSon opener AGAinst WilLiaM anD MaRy aLLOwEd four earned rUNS in fOuR and 2/3 innIngS.

Singer, ObvIouSly, DidN't Have similAr issues.

"he WaS sHaRp," O'sulliVAn said.

FrEsHmaN lEftY JordAN ButleR compLeteD tHe TWo-hItter foR flORIda, tOsSiNg twO scOrEless InniNGs wIth four StrikeoutS to ENd thE gAmE.

"You couLd just see the cOmPetitive spIrIt hE has," O'SULLivan saiD of Butler, who will also hit THis seasOn.

FOur FlOridA players — NElsOn MaldOnaDO, JJ SchWarz, BlAke ReEsE anD nIck HoRVAtH — haD tWo hits on thE NIghT, whilE fIve pLayers nOtched RBIs. Among theM WerE newcomers BraDy MCConNELl And wIl dAltOn.

mCCoNNEll had a rough go iN his first cOlLEgE game, strikINg oUt On his fiRst threE at-baTS. He also Committed A costly

GAINESVILLE — Alex Faedo— Florida' s 201 7 a ce,  C olle ge W orld Series MV P  and  first-round MLB Draft  pick  — wasb ac k onthe McK e th a n  St ad iu m m ou n don Fr ida y. Alth ough he ne ver  a ctually made it  to the ru bbe r.

The flam e-t hrowin grig h thand erinste ad wor e  jeans  and a 20 17 titleT -Shirta s  h e th rew out the cerem o ni a l first pitchfor Fl or i da ' s  se aso n-openingga me ag a inst Si e na . I n a symbolic mome nt, Brady S i nge r trot te d o u t of t he du go u t m oments late r to  take Fae do's F r iday ni g ht spot  on th atmou nd a n dus her  i n  an ew  se a son  of Flor id abaseb all. " H e ga veme a  high  five and tol d m e go o d l uck,"  Sing er s ai d ofFaedo.  He a ls o noted that th ey r arely tal ked  t o e ac h oth e r befo resta rts. Ne ither w a nte dt o br eak the other's co nc e n tr ation.
Clearl y  t he high fiv eand  pai r of wo rdsd id n't have  any n e ga ti ve effe ct  on Si ng er,  as  he d o mina ted Si ena in s eveni nnings. The ju n ior righthand e rs t ru c k ou t e ight, walke d on e  and  all o we d n o  earn ed ru ns in Florida's 7-1 openi ng -night  win. 

And perhaps  most impr e s s ively, S inge r  o f fered 24 first -pitc h strikest o the 24  hitt ers he f aced.

"T h a t's theone  th ing  Iw a nt ed to do," Si n g er s ai d, "was  go  out th ere  an d t hro wstrikes." 

CoachKe vi nO' Sul livan noted th at  wi th  fi rst-g a me jit tersandhi sf irs t Frida y  n i g ht s ta rt , th e g am e cou ld b e  on e of Si nger's mo std iffi cu lt  of the  season. He c om pared himto  Fa edo, w h o  in last  year's season opener a g ainst W ill iam a nd M ary allow edfour e arn e d runs  in fo ur an d2/3 i nning s . 
Sin ge r, obvious l y , d idn't  h avesimilar  issues.

"He wass har p," O'Sulliva n s aid. Fr esh m an lef ty Jor d a n Butler comple ted the tw o- h it ter for Fl o rid a,  tossin g two s corel e ss inni ngs withfour stri ke outs t o e nd the gam e.

"You  could ju s t see th e com pet itivesp iri t hehas,"O 'Su lliva n said  o f Butl er, w ho  will al so hit this season.

Fo ur Flo ridapla yers — Ne lso n  Ma ldonado,JJ S chwarz, Bl ake  Re ese a ndN ick H orva t h— h a d two  hit s  on the n i gh t,w h il e five play e r s  no tched  RB I s. Amo ng t hem were newcomer s  Brady McConne ll a n d  Wi l D a lton .
McConnell had  aro u g h go inhi s first col lege gam e, strik ing ou t on h is firs t th r ee at- bats . H e also co mmi tt e d a cos tl y

GAINESVILLE —_Alex Faedo_— Florida's 2017 ace,_College World_Series_MVP and_first-round_MLB Draft pick_— was back_on the McKethan Stadium_mound on Friday._Although_he never actually made it to the rubber.

The flame-throwing righthander instead wore jeans and_a_2017 title_T-Shirt_as_he threw out the ceremonial_first pitch for Florida's season-opening_game against_Siena. In a symbolic moment, Brady Singer trotted_out_of the dugout_moments later to take Faedo's Friday night spot on_that mound and usher in a_new season of_Florida_baseball.

"He_gave me a high_five and told me good luck,"_Singer said of Faedo. He also_noted that they rarely talked to each_other before starts. Neither wanted to_break the other's concentration.

Clearly the_high five_and pair of words didn't_have any negative_effect on_Singer, as he_dominated Siena in seven innings. The_junior righthander struck_out eight, walked one and allowed_no_earned runs in_Florida's_7-1_opening-night win.

And_perhaps most impressively,_Singer_offered 24_first-pitch_strikes to the 24 hitters he_faced.

"That's_the one thing I wanted to do,"_Singer said, "was go_out_there and throw strikes."

Coach_Kevin O'Sullivan noted that with_first-game jitters and his first Friday_night start,_the game_could be one of Singer's most difficult of the season. He_compared him to Faedo, who in_last year's season opener_against William_and_Mary allowed four_earned_runs in_four and 2/3 innings.

Singer, obviously, didn't have_similar issues.

"He_was sharp," O'Sullivan said.

Freshman lefty Jordan_Butler completed the two-hitter_for_Florida, tossing two scoreless innings with_four strikeouts to end the game.

"You_could just see the competitive_spirit_he_has," O'Sullivan said of Butler,_who will also hit this season.

Four_Florida players —_Nelson Maldonado, JJ Schwarz, Blake Reese and_Nick_Horvath — had two hits on_the_night, while five players notched RBIs._Among_them_were newcomers Brady McConnell and_Wil Dalton.

McConnell had a rough go_in his first college game, striking out on his_first three at-bats._He also committed a costly