The Gators will begin their 2010 season tonight in the first of a three-game series matchup as they host the South Florida Bulls at 6:30pm at McKethan Stadium.

Antonya English stated that this is the first time since 2001 that Florida has started the season up against an in-state opponent.

It has been about 20 years since the Gators and the Bulls have met. Out of three games played between the two, Florida came out on top with two victories and South Florida with one.

Looking at four different polls, the Gators are ranked in the top 10 in each one. They are ranked No. 7 in Baseball America, No. 9 in both Collegiate Baseball and the USA today/ESPN coaches poll, and No. 10 in the NCBWA poll, all reported from Gator Report.

Florida is expected to start sophomore Tommy Toledo, who was medically redshirted last season while he recovered from shoulder surgery. Toledo who started as a freshman in 2008, was tied for third with 11 starts and finished with a 4-4 record and an ERA of 4.40 in just 15 appearances. Toledo allowed 60 hits and 36 runs along with 32 walks and 30 strikeouts. I expect big things from Tommy this year. He’s young with a strong arm and should be a huge part of Florida’s pitching this year.

Gator Sports Nation will be providing a post-game story shortly following the game.

The prediction of tonight’s game by GSN- Florida 6, USF, 2.