Weekend Open Thread: Gator teams in tournaments

Five sets of Florida Gators - softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, lacrosse, and track and field - are competing in conference or national tournaments this weekend, with both tennis teams and the lacrosse squad hosting first and second round NCAA competition in Gainesville. Meanwhile, Florida baseball hosts Georgia in their regular-season home finale.

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

Friday, May 11

Track and field
SEC Outdoor Championships, 11:00 a.m.: Florida opens its postseason. The Gators are seeking their first men’s title since 2015, and their first women’s title since 2009 at the SEC Outdoor Championships. Friday’s events include hurdles, high jumps, meter races,shot put, and hammer throw.

Women’s tennis
Florida vs. Youngstown State (NCAA First Round), 2:00 p.m.: The Gators meet the Penguins for the first time on Friday afternoon, returning to the court for the first time in 20 days. If Florida wins, the Gators will meet the winner of the other first round match on Saturday.

Softball
Florida vs. Tennessee (SEC Semifinals), 5:30 p.m.: The Gators had a successful start to this year’s SEC Tournament, defeating Alabama in Thursday’s quarterfinals. In the semifinal round, No. 1 seed Florida faces No. 4 Tennessee. The Volunteers advanced after defeating No. 5 seed LSU, 1-0.

Baseball
Florida vs. Georgia, 6:30 p.m.: Wrapping up their regular season home slate, the top-ranked Gators host the rival Bulldogs for a three-game weekend series. No. 16 Georgia has the second-best record in the SEC (behind only the Gators) and could prove a formidable challenge for Florida.

Saturday, May 12

Track and field
SEC Outdoor Championships, 10:15 a.m.: Florida continues into the second day of competition. On Saturday, the Gators will compete in long jump, javelin throw, meter races, and steeplechase events.

Baseball
Florida vs. Georgia, 1:00 p.m.: Game two between the Gators and Bulldogs is on deck Saturday. Like Florida, Georgia has a deep and experienced pitching staff, ranking fourth in the SEC in team earned run average (3.52), and second behind UF in opponent batting average (.223).

Men’s tennis
Florida vs. South Carolina State (NCAA First Round), 1:00 p.m.: The Gators will be competing in their 28th consecutive NCAA Tournament on Saturday. The only two meetings between these two programs occurred in the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2011. If Florida bests SC State, they will advance to round two play on Sunday.

Women’s tennis
NCAA Tournament Second Round, 4:00 p.m.: Should Florida emerge victorious from first round competition, the Gators will face the other first round winner (either Florida State or North Florida) with a trip to the round-of-16 on the line.

Softball
SEC Tournament Finals, 8:00 p.m.: Should the Gators defeat the Volunteers on Friday, Florida will advance to the SEC Tournament Championship and face the winner of the semifinal between Arkansas and South Carolina for the title.

Sunday, May 13

Lacrosse
Florida vs. Colorado or Jacksonville (NCAA Tournament), 12:00 p.m.: The hosting Gators will face the winner of Friday’s match between Colorado and Jacksonville on Sunday in round two of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators actually faced both the Buffs and Dolphins earlier this season, winning both home matches. A win would send Florida to the quarterfinals.

Baseball
Florida vs. Georgia, 1:00 p.m.: The Gators conclude their final home regular-season series with the Bulldogs. Coming into the weekend, Florida had won all eight SEC series they had played. With two wins against Georgia, the Gators would win at least a share of the conference title.

Men’s tennis
Florida vs. Miami or North Florida (NCAA Second Round), 1:00 p.m.: Should the Gators be victorious in Saturday’s first round match, Florida will face the winner of the other first round competition - either Miami or North Florida with a trip to the round-of-16 on the line. The Gators have reached that round in three of the last four years, including the last two.

Track and field
SEC Outdoor Championships, 2:30 p.m.: Florida concludes conference championship competition. Sunday’s events include discus throw, triple jump, pole vault, relays, hurdle events, and meter races. From 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the SEC Network will air video of the competition.

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