ChompTalk.com

The first pitch between the Florida Gators and Kentucky Wildcats was delayed on Tuesday night after rainstorms gloomed over Omaha, Nebraska. The ballgame was pushed back to 11 a.m. EST and while the Wildcats faltered, the Gators were locked in at home plate to put a beatdown on its SEC rival.

The Gators thrived in its second elimination game in Omaha, knocking out Kentucky, 15-4, and advancing in the College World Series. The Wildcats entered the double elimination tournament as the No. 2 seed and will now return to Lexington after being eliminated.

Florida batters literally came out swinging in the bottom of the first inning to open the flood gates and jump to an early 7-1 lead, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

UF shortstop Colby Shelton started the scoring frenzy with an RBI double, hitting the ball to right field and advancing junior Jac Caglianone to tally his first run of the game. Soon after, catcher Luke Heyman dinked a single to left field which was enough to buy time for both baserunners, Cade Kurland and Colby Shelton, to make their way home and add two additional runs to the scoreboard.

Designated hitter Brody Donay started off his incredible day at the plate in the bottom of the first with a grand slam to right field, scoring Heyman, right fielder Ashton Wilson and third baseman Dale Thomas.

Donay eventually continued the impressive showing with a solo shot to left field to propel the Gators to a 10-4 lead.

Home run leader Caglianone set a new Florida record in the sixth inning, breaking the all-time school record for career home runs with 75 under his belt. The record was previously held by former Gators slugger Matt LaPorta. It was Caglianone’s 35th home run of the season.

Earning his first win of the season on the mound was Pierce Coppola, who pitched through five innings and struck out nine batters while only giving up four runs. Relievers Jake Clemente and Alex Philpott strung together seven total strikeouts through the final four innings and didn’t allow a single run.

The Florida Gators aren’t done playing and have to face off against the No. 2 seed Texas A&M Aggies at 7 p.m. EST on Wednesday, essentially participating in a double header. It will be the second time UF has competed against the Aggies in the tournament. The game will broadcast on ESPN.