Weekend Open Thread: Gators hosting tournament tilts

The schedule gets ever smaller this week, especially with the softball Gators making an early exit from SEC Tournament play. Florida baseball travels to Alabama for their final away series, track and field competes at the SEC Outdoor Championships, and Florida’s men’s tennis, women’s tennis, and lacrosse teams all host NCAA Tournament games.

Below you’ll find what is happening in Gator sports this weekend, as well as how to follow along.

Friday, May 12

Track and field
SEC Outdoor Championships, All Day (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Stats): The No. 2 Gator men, and No. 8 Gator women, continue competition at the 2017 SEC Outdoor Championships, which began yesterday and concludes tomorrow.

Men’s tennis
Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast, NCAA Tournament First Round, 5:00 p.m. (Watch, Stats): In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, being hosted by the Gators in Gainesville, Florida faces FGCU. The Gators are the No. 15 seed in a 64-team draw.

Baseball
Florida vs. Alabama, 7:00 p.m. (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators hit the road for the final time this regular season, traveling to Tuscaloosa for a three-game series with the Crimson Tide. Florida was on a nine-game win streak before dropping their midweek finale to USF. Alabama comes into the series after sweeping Auburn last weekend.

Saturday, May 13

Track and field
SEC Outdoor Championships, All Day (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Stats): Competition concludes at the 2017 SEC Outdoor Championships. The Gator men are hoping for their first title win since 2015, while the women are hoping for their first championship since 2009.

Women’s tennis
Florida vs. Massachusetts, NCAA Tournament First Round, 1:00 p.m. (Watch, Stats): The No. 1 seeded Gators begin NCAA Tournament play at home in the first round against UMass. Florida played 21 matches this season against teams in the 64-team tournament field, compiling a 18-3 record against those clubs.

Men’s tennis
NCAA Tournament - Second Round, 4:00 p.m. (Watch, Stats): Should Florida be victorious in Friday’s first round, the Gators will move on to face the winner of Friday’s match between Georgia Tech and Minnesota in the second round.

Baseball
Florida vs. Alabama, 7:00 p.m. (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): Game two of the series between the Gators and Tide is on deck. Coming into this weekend, Florida and Alabama were tied, 57-57, in the overall series. The Gators have won the last five series between the two.

Sunday, May 14

Lacrosse
NCAA Tournament, 12:00 p.m. (Watch, Stats): Florida is the No. 3 seed in the 26-team NCAA Tournament. The Gators host both the first and second rounds, and have a first round bye. Florida will play the winner of Friday’s game between Southern California and Jacksonville.

Women’s tennis
NCAA Tournament Second Round, 1:00 p.m. (Watch, Stats): Should Florida win their first round match on Saturday, the Gators will face the winner of the contest between Miami and South Florida. The Gators are one of 12 SEC teams in the 2017 tournament field. Florida is the No. 1 seed for the 14th time ever.

Baseball
Florida vs. Alabama, 4:00 p.m. (SEC Network+/WatchESPN, Listen, Stats): The Gators play their final away game of the regular season. Coming into this weekend, sophomore pitcher Michael Byrne was tied for the school record in saves in a season, at 13.

And here are your schedule tables for this weekend’s events: