Usually, it’s the second weekend of the season, with UM first hosting Rutgers for a tune-up opening series before competition ramps up. In 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami and Florida open against each other.
The Hurricanes, which open the season ranked anywhere from No. 6 to No. 21 in various preseason polls, hope to flip that recent history against the Gators, ranked as high as No. 1 to open, in a three-game series that starts with a 3 p.m. first pitch on Friday in Gainesville.
“Right out of the gate, we’re going to get tested, which I think is great,” said Miami baseball coach Gino DiMare, entering his third season at the helm.