GAINESVILLE — Florida added Oregon State left-hander Trey Morris to improve a pitching staff plagued by a lack of depth and consistency during the postseason.
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Considered the top transfer pitcher available, the 6-foot-2, 251-pound Morris was a first team Freshman All-American who led the nation with an 0.83 WHIP, was second with a 1.98 ERA and posted a 7-0 record in 2026. He recorded 67 strikeouts and walked just 15 batters in 59 innings.
The Easton, California, native will join SEC Pitcher of the Year Aidan King to give the Gators a formidable 1-2 punch. O’Sullivan searched all season for a complement to King, who was 8-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 87 innings.
King, though, struggled down the stretch. He allowed eight hits and six runs in three inning during his final start, a historic 22-10 rout of rival Miami in the NCAA Gainesville Regional. King allowed at least four earned runs in four of his final four starts after yiedling three earned runs or fewer during six of his previous six starts.
O’Sullivan had no one to pick up the slack. No. 2 starter Liam Peterson gave up 10 hits, including two home runs, and nine earned runs during a 16-11 loss to Troy in the regional.
During a 10-2 loss to the Trojans during the deciding game, Florida cycled through five pitchers, with redshirt sophomore middle reliever Caden McDonald providing only effective relief before O’Sullivan replaced him due to fatigue.
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King, Morris, rising junior Jackson Barberi and McDonald provide O’Sullivan a foundation to build around.
Right-handed pitcher Maddox McDougall also committed to Florida. As a sophomore at Jacksonville State, he was 5-0 while recording a 2.76 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 18 walks.
Prior to Morris’ decision, sophomore Jackson Hoyt was the only left-handed pitcher on the roster following the transfers of seven pitchers, including lefties Rivers Kurland, McCall Biemiller and Eli Blair.
Also on Tuesday, the Gators also added Utah Tech infielder Kyle McDaniel to likely replace veteran second baseman Cade Kurland. McDaniel, who is draft eligible, hit .340, with 10 doubles, seven home runs and drove in 52 runs while drawing 43 walks.
Florida Gulf Coast catcher Jon Embury, the 2026 ASUN Player of the Year, also committed to the Gators after batting .364 with 13 doubles and 17 home runs and 60 runs.
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]