While Mace took over the Friday night starting role for the Gators in 2019 en route to eight wins, it wasn’t until 2020 that he really began to take off as the team’s ace. In four starts that season, he posted a 1.67 ERA with three victories. The 6-foot-6-inch right-handed pitcher has a repertoire that includes an 87 MPH slider and deft curve ball. The former Cincinnati Reds 2017 12th-round pick increased his draft stock while at Florida and has a chance to hear his name called in the first two rounds of the 2021 MLB Draft.

In 2021, Mace has pitched over 75 innings and allowed about a hit per inning with his ERA hovering around the 4.4 mark. Thus far, he has posted one save in relief. Most importantly, he has failed to lose a game (5-0) in 13 appearances. The Gators head into this weekend’s series against the top-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks on a roll, having notched 15 victories in their last 20 games. Mace opens up the weekend series in his Friday night role versus Arkansas left-hander Patrick Wicklander on Thursday night.