Weekend Open Thread: Gator baseball opens 2019 season

Spring sports are back in full swing this weekend, with Florida Gators baseball starting its 2019 season, tennis and golf squads competing for titles, softball swinging in a west coast tournament, and both basketball teams in action.

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

Friday, February 15

Softball
Florida vs. Illinois State, 4:00 p.m.: The No. 4 Gators are in Tempe, Arizona, taking part in the Littlewood Classic. Florida starts things off with a familiar face - the Gators last bested the Redbirds just last weekend (and have won 11 straight against them).

Baseball
Florida vs. Long Beach State, 6:30 p.m.: The No. 3 Gators host the Dirtbags - yes, really. I promise you. The Dirtbags. - to begin their 2019 season. Tyler Dyson gets the start for Florida’s opener.

Men’s tennis
Florida vs. USC, 7:30 p.m.: For the second straight season, the Gators are participating in the ITA National Team Indoor Championship - which is being held in Chicago. The No. 4 seed Gators open against No. 13 seed USC.

Gymnastics
Florida at Alabama, 8:30 p.m.: Another top-ten road meet is on deck for the Gators. The No. 9 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Florida for their annual Power of Pink meet.

Softball
Florida at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m.: The Gators continue their first day at the classic with the Sun Devils. These two programs haven’t met since the postseason in Oklahoma City in June 2011, which resulted in a Florida loss.

Saturday, February 16

Men’s golf
Florida Gators Invitational, All day: Florida hosts 14 teams this weekend for the annual event at Gainesville’s Mark Bostick Golf Course. The first 36 holes will be played Saturday.

Men’s tennis
ITA Indoor Championships, TBD: The Gators will face either No. 5 seed Texas or No. 12 seed Illinois, at a time to be determined.

Women’s tennis
Florida vs. North Florida, 10:00 a.m.: The Gators face the Eagles on Saturday, hoping to rebound from a loss to NC State in the ITA Kickoff Championship.

Lacrosse
Florida vs. Scotland, 1:00 p.m.: In Gainesville at Donald R. Dizney Stadium, the Gators host Scotland for an exhibition game.

Softball
Florida vs. San Diego, 1:30 p.m.: Day two of the Littlewood Classic starts with the Gators’ second-ever meeting with San Diego. Florida won the previous contest in 2015.

Men’s basketball
Florida at Alabama, 2:00 p.m.: Coming off a much-needed win over Vanderbilt, the Gators travel to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide.

Baseball
Florida vs. Long Beach State, 4:00 p.m.: The opening weekend series with the Dirtbags continues. Tommy Mace will be first up on the mound for the Gators. Coming into the weekend, Florida had only lost an opener once in head coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s tenure.

Women’s tennis
Florida vs. South Alabama, 4:00 p.m.: For their second match of the day, the Gators take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

Softball
Florida vs. Utah State, 6:30 p.m.: The Gators wrap up their second tournament day with the Aggies. These two programs are meeting for the very first time.

Sunday, February 17

Men’s golf
Florida Gators Invitational, All day: Florida continues with the final 18 holes of the 54-hole invitational. The Gators are looking to win their home tournament for the first time since 2011 after finishing second a year ago.

Women’s golf
Allstate Sugar Bowl Golf Championship, All day: Florida travels to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl event. Last year, the Gators won the team title and junior Sierra Brooks won the individual title.

Men’s tennis
ITA Indoor Championships, TBD: If the Gators are still in play, Florida will be matched up with one of the other top-20 teams in attendance.

Softball
Florida vs. Central Michigan, 11:00 a.m.: The Gators conclude their desert weekend with the Chippewas. Florida holds a 3-0 all-time record against CMU.

Baseball
Florida vs. Long Beach State, 12:00 p.m.: Opening weekend comes to an end. Jack Leftwich gets the start for the Gators.

Women’s basketball
Florida vs. South Carolina, 2:00 p.m.: After being trounced on the road by Georgia, the Gators hope they have a shot to rebound at home against the visiting Gamecocks.

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