Zack Zaversnik, 20, tips his cap during the April 17 home run derby hosted by the University of Florida’s club baseball team at Oak Hall School in Gainesville. Zaversnik, a junior, won the derby with two home runs in the final round.
Patrick Pinak, 20, steps toward the ball during the April 17 home run derby. The derby was part of the club’s alumni weekend before their crucial series against the University of Central Florida.
Patrick Pinak, 20, watches a ball he hit during the April 17 home run derby. Pinak, the team’s clean-up hitter, hit one home run in the final round to finish in second place.
Jordan Sperling, 22, takes a swing during the April 17 home run derby. Sperling, a UF senior, did not hit a home run during the derby.
UF senior Alex Kapacinskas takes a swing with a camcorder mounted on his hat during the April 17 home run derby. Kapacinskas, 23, did not hit any home runs during the contest.
Alex Kapacinskas, 23, prepares to take some swings with a camcorder mounted on his hat during the April 17 derby. Kapacinskas, a UF senior, played his final games during the weekend series against the University of Central Florida.
Wade Swikle, 24, takes a swing during the April 17 home run derby. Swikle, an alumnus, failed to hit any home runs during the contest.
Gator alumnus Wade Swikle, 24, shakes hands with junior Corey Graf during Friday’s home run derby. Swikle now owns a moving company in Gainesville.
Alumnus Sky Beck, 23, throws a pitch for the April 17 home run derby. Beck did not hit any home runs during the contest.
Sky Beck, 23, Alex Kapacinskas, 20, and Sam Bergida shag balls during the April 17 home run derby. Beck was one of two alumni to attend the event that pitted former club players against current ones.
UF alumnus Sky Beck, 23, looks on from center field during the April 17 home run derby hosted by the University of Florida club baseball team at Oak Hall School in Gainesville. The derby was part of the club’s Alumni Weekend that included a pivotal series against the University of Central Florida.
The weekend may have ended in disappointment for the University of Florida club baseball team, but it wasn’t a complete loss.
April 17 kicked off the club’s alumni weekend with a home run derby featuring both Gator alumni and current UF club baseball players.
The Gators fell 5-3 in 10 innings to the University of Central Florida Knights during the April 19 series finale, likely ending their hopes of playing in the postseason.
The derby was determined by the team’s current players. UF junior Zack Zaversnik, 20, defeated junior Patrick Pinak, 20, in the final round with two home runs. Pinak hit one.
“You won’t find a better group of guys to play baseball with,” Pinak said. “Even though our season ended early, it’s pretty awesome knowing we’re all going to be friends for years to come.”
While the Gators’ regular season schedule is complete, the Knights have two games remaining against Florida International University, which they are expected to win.
WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
