**GAINESVILLE, Fla.** – As the 2024 offseason progresses into the second week of July, several Gators are participating in summer baseball leagues across the country.
This summer, nine members of the Florida baseball team are playing in the USA Collegiate National Team, Cape Cod League, and Valley League. Freshman All-SEC right-hander Liam Peterson is the only Gator on the USA Collegiate National Team, assigned to the Summer League Tour from the National Training Camp. On July 1, Peterson pitched four shutout, one-hit innings with seven strikeouts against the Appalachian League East Select.
Six Gators are playing in the top developmental league of the summer, the Cape Cod League, across four teams. Infielder Cade Kurland and catcher Luke Heyman are with the Harwich Mariners, with Kurland hitting an impressive .346/.452/.423, including nine hits, seven runs, and five RBI in seven games. Heyman has appeared in five games, recording four hits and a run.
Righty Jake Clemente and catcher Brody Donay are with the Brewster Whitecaps. Donay has hit two homers in nine games and is slashing .229/.289/.429, while Clemente has struck out nine batters in 7 2/3 innings, posting a 4.70 ERA.
Incoming Texas Tech transfer Landon Stripling played eight games with the Chatham Anglers, and Pierce Coppola pitched 3 1/3 innings for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, striking out seven batters and walking three.
In the Valley League, southpaw Frank Menendez and outfielder Blake Brookins are playing for the Charlottesville Tom Sox. Menendez has made two relief appearances, and Brookins has gone 3-for-8 with a 1.288 OPS in three games, including one home run, three RBI, three runs, and three walks.
