Dr. Phillips alum thriving for Florida Gators baseball

The Florida Gators baseball team wrapped the 2015 regular season May 16 with a 3-1 victory over the Auburn Tigers in Gainesville.

The Gators (40-15) are the No. 4 seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama, and are within the top 10 in nearly every major college baseball poll.

Helping to lead the way for Florida has been a local player having a breakout season — sophomore outfielder Ryan Larson, a Dr. Phillips alumnus. After hitting .274 in 48 appearances with 24 starts as a freshman in 2014, Larson has started in 45 games this spring and is hitting .310 with 23 runs scored and 22 RBI.

“It all started, as a freshman, just coming in not really knowing what to expect playing in the SEC with guys you grow up watching,” Larson said, reflecting on his growing role for the Gators. “It’s just an ongoing process from fall ball to playing as much as I did last year (as a freshman) to summer ball, and it kind of just all came together for me early this spring.”

For Larson’s high school coach, Dr. Phillips head coach Mike Bradley, it has been exciting to keep up with his former standout as the season has progressed.

“This year (Larson has) just taken off,” Bradley said. “He’s just thriving in the environment there. … Coach (Kevin) O’Sullivan runs a first-class program, and he’s very demanding.”

Larson — who has played a big role for the Gators as the team’s nine-hitter — considers himself a player who can take care of whatever odds and ends his team requires from him.

“I’m kind of just the guy who needs to get the little things done,” Larson said. “Play good defense, get bunts down and just be the guy who gets on base. I think I’ve done a pretty good job at it.”

As his playing time has increased, Larson has been able to enjoy playing in a conference with several storied baseball programs — many that boast large home crowds in impressive facilities.

“It’s actually a lot of fun,” Larson said. “Playing in some of these venues is pretty cool — Mississippi State, Ole Miss; they get 8,000 to 10,000 people, and it gets pretty loud.”

Things will get more intense in the coming weeks as the Gators navigate the SEC Tournament this week and NCAA Tournament beyond. Florida will begin play in Hoover at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, with its opponent to be determined. 

The SEC Championship Game will take place at 4:30 p.m. Sunday and will air nationally on ESPN2.

“All of us are excited,” Larson said of the team’s demeanor. “We’re ready to put it all together here toward the end of the year and see what happens.”

Rest assured, Larson will have more than a few fans rooting for him and the Gators back here in West Orange County.

“There’s nothing more gratifying then coaching a young man and, in a small part, helping him get to the next level and watching him flourish,” Bradley said. “He’s doing it himself — but I like to think we provided him a small avenue to have success.”

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].