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Seven of this year’s eight College World Series teams earned top-16 overall seeds. And then, there are the Florida Gators. The Gators have been on a rather improbable run since barely making the tournament and being ranked a three-seed in the Oklahoma State regional.

Maybe even more impressive is the adversity that this team has overcome since the beginning of post-season play. Florida lost their second game against the Cowboys in regional play, but fought through the loser’s bracket and advanced to supers by knocking off the No. 11 seed twice within 24 hours, despite their best pitching being burned in games one and two.

Florida then traveled to a hostile Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson and overcame a three-run deficit in game one and won the second game with a walk-off two-run double by Michael Robertson in the thirteenth inning.

This Florida team, despite not being a national seed, is battle tested.

It’s well documented that the Gators made it into post-season play largely thanks to a No. 1 strength of schedule and a top-30 RPI. Playing in a conference that saw eleven NCAA tournament bids ensures you’ve paid your dues heading into the home stretch.

Oh, and let’s not forget the experience that many of these Gators experienced a year ago when Florida advanced all the way to game three of the championship series.

Florida is the underdog, even if their players don’t share the sentiment. According to the Hard Rock sportsbook in Florida, the Gators have +1200 odds to win the World Series, placing last amongst the remaining teams (a trio of SEC teams hold the top three odds, Tennessee +275, Texas A&M +350, and Kentucky +450).

On The Mound:

For the Gators, no discussion about the pitching can be had without starting at the finish. Closer Brandon Neely has become a workhorse out of the pen. Head coach Kevin O’Sullivan has shown confidence to bring him in, no matter the situation. In what amounts to little more than two weekends, Neely has thrown 16 innings with 23 strikeouts while allowing just three runs.

Florida will be looking to a freshman to get them through the all-important first game in Omaha. O’Sullivan announced Liam Peterson as the starter for Saturday’s tilt against Texas A&M. Peterson struggled mightily in the weekend rotation at the beginning of the season, but became the best pitcher on the staff after his demotion to the bullpen. Despite coming off a tough outing in Clemson, Peterson is the most consistent pitcher over the last couple of months. It also gives the Gators a sense of comfort, as this has been the rotation for the entirety of post-season play.

Two-way superstar Jac Caglianone was announced as the game two starter. Caglianone has been an average pitcher for much of the season, but he did get out to a hot start and leads the Gators in most pitching statistics.

Cade Fisher, Jake Clemente, Fisher Jameson and several more will play important roles if Florida is going to advance. Does O’Sullivan play to win the day or does he coach with the next game in mind? That’s to be seen.

The Lineup:

The Florida hitters were able to tee off against Clemson’s pitchers, combining for twenty-one runs in the two games. The Gators stuck with the same plan they have for most of the year. Cade Kurkand led off and was on base for many of Jac Caglianone’s at-bat. The Florida sluggers sits just one home run shy of the all-time UF record heading into the CWS. Ashton Wilson, maybe the surprise of the tournament, has provided more than adequate protection and has made the opposition pay for it when they’ve pitched around or intentionally walked Cags. Colby Shelton has struggled in the four-hole at times, but had two important hits for 3 RBI in Sunday’s world series clincher.

Luke Heyman and Tyler Shelnut struggled mightily in the Clemson finale, going a combined 0-11 before each recorded base hits  to set up the dramatic finish. Despite not playing for a large portion of the season, Dale Thomas has been the most consistent bat in post-season play out of the seven-spot. Brody Donay shows immense power, though his swing can be too long through the zone, causing a lot of strikeouts. All that leads us to Michael Robertson. The much maligned centerfielder just seems to come through when it matters.

The Path:

Florida opens the College World Series with a matchup against Texas A&M. Florida beat the Aggies in a series back in March, 2-1. The Gators are on the same side of the bracket as Kentucky, Texas A&M, and NC State. Game two for Florida will take place Monday (time depends on if they win or lose).

In Bracket One, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida State, and Virginia will look to advance to the championship series.

Saturday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM in Omaha.

The Prediction:

I don’t believe that Florida will go 2-and-BBQ, but I also don’t believe this team is winning the whole thing. I think Peterson’s struggles in post-season will be magnified in the 24,000-capacity Charles Schwab field.

I do think Florida beats the Wolfpack but then falls again to either Kentucky or Texas A&M once they get beyond Caglianone’s start.

If Florida plays three games, I predict that Caglianone will set the new record for all-time home runs.