Kyle Peterson was on the ESPN2 Selection Show to announce the 64-team NCAA Tournament field in college baseball on Monday, and the analyst named Florida as having the toughest regional for the host team.

“Florida played itself into a host and absolutely deserved it,” he said. “Oklahoma won the conference tournament and I thought, honestly, had a legitimate chance to host. Liberty has already won a series at Florida this year, and the 4-seed, Central Michigan, is the only 4-seed that has at least 40 wins. That’s who you start with. Not going to be an easy path for the Gators.”

To Peterson’s point, the Gators won 16 of their last 21 games down the stretch to secure the program’s 18th NCAA Regional hosting bid.

Just over a month ago, the Gators owned a 6-12 record in SEC play through April 24. Since then, Florida went on a hot streak and posted a 13-5 record against SEC opponents.

Florida lost to No. 1 Tennessee on Sunday in the SEC Tournament championship, 8-5 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The Gators carry Jac Caglianone and Wyatt Langford, who were each named to the 2022 SEC All-Tournament Team, into the regional with hot bats. Langford batted .391 (9-for-23) with 2 home runs, 2 doubles, 7 runs and 5 RBI. Caglianone hit .364 with one homer, 2 doubles, 6 RBI and 4 runs scored.

The Gators will open with Central Michigan on Friday night, June 3, in the second game of the day at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.