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NCAA rules on Stetson protest of Florida game, UF win upheld
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Florida baseball is officially 9-0 entering the third weekend of the 2025 college baseball season. Stetson announced on Thursday that its protest of Tuesday’s game in DeLand has been denied by the NCAA. UF’s 6-1 win has been upheld.
Stetson took issue with a controversial call in the 7th inning. The Hatters briefly tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the 7th. Trailing 2-1, Stetson had a runner of 3rd base with 2 outs. Batter Salvador Alvarez hit a ball that went off the pitcher’s glove. Alvarez beat the throw from short.
Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan, however, called for a video review. After review, it was determined Alvarez had violated a new rule. Alvarez stepped on the white 1st base bag, but not the orange safety bag. Because Alvarez did not touch the orange safety bag, Florida applied a tag after the play.
Umpires concluded that Alvarez made the 3rd out of the inning, taking the Stetson’s run off the board. The Hatters made clear that they were protesting the outcome of the game with the run not counting.
Following the review, it was 2-1 Florida in the top of the 8th inning. The Gators added to their lead, as Cade Kurland hit a 3-run home run and Kyle Jones, a Stetson transfer, added an RBI single. The Gators left DeLand with a 6-1 victory that remains official.
“While this does not come as a surprise, it is disappointing,” Stetson athletic director Ricky Ray said in a statement Thursday. “I continue to believe the rule involving the safety base was not properly adjudicated in this situation.
“I am disappointed for our student-athletes and coaches, as well as fans of both institutions. A great night to celebrate the exceptional college baseball played in our state was overshadowed by a ruling that was added just weeks before the season.”
Florida added a 7-6 win over North Florida on Wednesday to improve to 9-0. The Gators host in-state rival Miami this weekend.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
