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  • CWS Finals Liveblog: It All Comes Down To This

    CWS Finals Liveblog: It All Comes Down To This

    Photo by Jay Biggerstaff | Getty Images

    Game No. 71.

    It all comes down to this.

    The Florida Gators (54-16) are searching for the program’s second national championship and first since 2017.

    Florida forced the winner-take-all game three with a 24-4 rout that saw numerous College World Series records fall.

    Follow this liveblog of all the action as we get settled in from Gators Dockside in Gainesville, FL.

    *Just like yesterday the latest updates on the liveblog will appear at the top of the post, rather than the bottom. Scroll all the way down to avoid spoilers. All times listed are eastern time zone.

    — LIVEBLOG —

    LSU are the National Champions

    Bottom 9, Gators with work to do

    • Heyman groundout to short
    • Evans groundout to short
    • (PH) Thomas singles to left
    • Halter struck out swinging

    Top 9

    • Crews singles up the middle
    • White RBI double
    • Morgan RBI double
    • Fisher Jameson coming to the mound for the Gators
    • Dugas fly out to center
    • Jobert hit two run homer
    • Thompson flyout to center
    • PH Jones singles up the middle
    • Travinski stuck out looking
    • 4 R, 5 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

    End 8th, Gators trail LSU 14-4

    Bottom 8

    • Kurland goes opposite field for a home run, Gators trail 14-4.
    • Langford fouls out to second baseman
    • Caglianone strikes out swinging
    • Rivera reaches on E6
    • Riopelle grounds out to second
    • 1 R, 1 H, 1 E, 0 LOB

    Top 8

    • Crews triple to left center
    • White RBI single
    • Morgan singles to right just out of Kurland’s reach
    • Dugas walks
    • Jobert grounds into a fielder’s choice, RBI
    • Thompson sacrifice fly
    • Pearson HBP
    • Travinski singles to short
    • Beloso groundout to second
    • 3 R, 3 H, 0 E, 3 LOB

    End 7th, Gators trail LSU 11-3

    Bottom 7

    • Heyman lines out to center
    • Ty Evans hits his fifth homer in Omaha, 11-3 LSU lead
    • Shelnut flies out to center
    • Halter grounds out to second
    • 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Top 7

    • Morgan singles on a ball that lands inside the foul line in no-man’s-land.
    • Dugas walks
    • Wild pitch advances the runners to second and third.
    • Jobert struck out swinging
    • Thompson struck out swinging
    • Pearson walks, bases loaded
    • Blake Purnell comes on for the Gators out of the bullpen.
    • Travinski walks, Morgan scores
    • Beloso lines out to short
    • 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 3 LOB

    End 6th, Gators trail LSU 10-2

    Bottom 6

    • Langford lines out to short
    • Caglianone strikes out swinging, was ahead 3-0 in the count
    • Rivera walks on four pitches
    • Riopelle flies out to center
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

    Top 6

    • Nesbitt strikes out Pearson on three pitches.
    • Travinski strikes out looking
    • Beloso singles to right
    • Crews singles to left
    • White flies out to center
    • 0 R, 2 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    End 5th, Gators trail LSU 10-2

    Bottom 5

    • Shelnut flies out to short
    • Halter strikes out swinging
    • Kurland strikes out looking
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Top 5

    • White singles up the middle. Actually hit the second base umpire.
    • Morgan flies out to left
    • Dugas hit by first pitch of the at-bat
    • Jobert grounded out to third but the throw was off line. Heyman makes the tag for the second out.
    • Thompson flies out to center to end the inning.
    • 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    End 4th, Gators trail LSU 10-2

    Bottom 4

    • Riopelle robbed of a hit by Thompson (shortstop playing shallow right) due to shift.
    • Heyman flies out to center
    • Evans fouls out to third to end the inning.
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Top 4

    • Morgan hits it off Slater and is retired at first. Slater looks ok to continue.
    • During the first pitch of the at-bat, Slater steps off the mound (ball one). Trainer and O’Sullivan join him in the mound.
    • Slater stays in the game and forces a foul out to first.
    • Jobert doubles off the wall near the foul line in right.
    • Thompson singles to left, misplayed by Halter, ends up at second, Jobert scores to extend LSU lead to 7-2.
    • Pearson homers to right to make it 9-2.
    • Milazzo singles to right to turn the lineup over again.
    • Florida turns it over to Tyler Nesbitt out of the bullpen.
    • Beloso singles to center, Milazzo scores but lands awkwardly while dodging Riopelle at the plate. He’s down. Travinski putting on the catching gear in the LSU dugout. 10-2 LSU.
    • Crews grounds out to short to end the inning.
    • 4 R, 5 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

    End 3rd, Gators trail LSU 6-2

    Bottom 3rd

    • Halter lines it to the wall but Crews makes a catch while crashing into the outfield wall in center.
    • Kurland pops the first pitch up to center where Crews makes the catch.
    • Langford walks on four pitches. Hurd wanted no part of the Gators superstar outfielder.
    • Caglianone is hit on a 1-2 pitch. Runners on first and second for the Gators.
    • Rivera strikes out looking to end the inning.
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    Top 3rd

    • Pearson fouls out to third.
    • Milazzo walks to bring up the top of the order
    • Beloso strikes out swinging
    • Crews singles to right, runners on first and second for Tommy Tanks
    • O’Sullivan makes the move to Ryan Slater with two down in the third.
    • White grounds out to short to end the threat with no damage to the scoreboard.
    • 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    End 2nd: Gators trail LSU 6-2

    Bottom 2nd

    • Heyman strikes out swinging
    • Evans flies out to short
    • Shelnut strikes out looking
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Caglianone’s final line: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 3 BB (46 pitches)

    Top 2nd

    • Dugas walks on four pitches
    • Dugas advances to second on a wild pitch
    • Jobert singles to left, Tigers with runners on the corners
    • Thompson RBI single to left.
    • Pearson grounds into fielder’s choice. Runners on the corners.
    • Milazzo walks, bases loaded
    • Kevin O’Sullivan with a mound visit. Caglianone up to 37 pitches. Top of the order coming up.
    • Beloso HBP to score a run, tie ballgame.
    • Crews walks, another run scores. LSU leads 3-2.
    • Caglianone’s night is done. He lasts 1.1 innings. Cade Fisher coming on with the bases loaded.
    • White singles to left to score another run, LSU leads 4-2.
    • Morgan hits a sacrifice fly to center to make it a 5-2 ballgame.
    • Dugas singles to the left side to score another. It’s 6-2 Tigers.
    • Jobert singles to right to load the bases (again)
    • Thompson flies out to center to stop the bleeding.
    • 6 R, 5 H, 0 E, 3 LOB

    End 1st: Gators lead LSU 2-0

    Bottom 1st

    • Kurland singles to left, first hit of the game.
    • Kurland reaches second on a wild pitch (2-2 count)
    • Wyatt Langford goes yard down the left field line. Gators lead 2-0.
    • Caglianone strikes out
    • Rivera grounds it to the pitcher, but he’s called for interference. Gators are challenging. Call confirmed.
    • Riopelle flies out to center.
    • 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Top 1st

    • Caglianone’s first pitch plunks Beloso. The Tigers have the first runner on base.
    • Crews flies out to right
    • White strikes out swinging
    • Morgan strikes out swinging
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 H, 1 LOB

    LSU changes up things in the order and will have Cade Beloso leadoff today. He’s been hot at the CWS.

    7:02 PM: Florida will serve as the home team since they are the higher seed.

    7:00 PM: Are you ready, Gator Nation?!?

    6:50 PM: Just ten minutes away from the start of the College World Series, game three. Gators Dockside is packed and has been for the better part of an hour. I imagine that’s the case at most local places in / around Gainesville tonight.

    6:05 PM: Possible Paul Skenes update from Leah Vann of the Baton Rouge Advocate:

    5:50 PM: And the LSU lineup, featuring a new leadoff hitter:

    5:47 PM: Florida’s starting lineup, per 247Sports’ Jacob Rudner:

    5:45 PM: NCAA Baseball has released this trailer on social media:

    5:05 PM: As Nick de la Torre of Gators Online shows, the wind is currently blowing out to right (good for Caglianone and Riopelle).

    4:15 PM: The biggest debate coming into the game was easily the availability of RHP Paul Skenes, a likely top-three draft pick next month. Skenes has thrown more than 240 pitches in his last two outings and pitched the Tigers into the Finals with a dominant performance Thursday.

    Skenes will not get the start for LSU. RHP Thatcher Hurd (7-2, 5.96 ERA) will open the game on the mound for the Tigers.

    He will be opposed by Florida’s Jac Caglianone (7-3, 3.68 ERA).

  • BSB: Top of Order Comes Through In Clutch

    BSB: Top of Order Comes Through In Clutch

    Photo by Jay Biggerstaff | Getty Images

    As the old adage goes, hitting is contagious. This is proven over and over as teams often go into long slumps as their star players do.

    This Florida Gators team is no different. Since the start of the College World Series in Omaha, the top three hitters in the Florida lineup have been mired in a slump that actually started well before arriving in Nebraska.

    The Gators opened their trip to Omaha by going 3-0 through their bracket to advance to the championships series. This led to few questions about the lack of production out of the lineup or the top three batters in the order.

    A loss to LSU to open the CWS Finals exposed what nobody was ready to talk about, a struggling offense. In game one, the Gators struck out an astonishing twenty times. Many on pitches being chased well out of the zone.

    Through four games in Omaha, the Florida lineup was collectively hitting just .214 overall. Worse yet, the 1-3 hitters (Cade Kurland, Wyatt Langford, and Jac Caglianone), were just 8-52 (.154 average) during the CWS.

    If the Florida offense was going to turn it around, it had to start at the top.

    On Sunday, they did just that. Kurland led off the game with a single to short before a Langford walk. Though the Gators exited the first inning without a score, the importance of those two guys getting on was massive.

    In the third inning, Kurland led off by getting plunked on the first pitch of the at-bat. Langford followed with a single and Caglianone added an RBI single. This set up a six run inning that put the Gators ahead for good.

    Florida added a run in the fourth inning as Kurland opened the frame with a walk and reached second on a single by Langford. Kurland scored on a fielder’s choice by Caglianone. Yet again, these three played catalyst.

    After Colby Halter led off the sixth with a double to right-center, Kurland was hit by a(nother) pitch. Langford followed by crushing a 0-1 pitch well beyond the left-field fence. Three pitches later, Caglianone sent one to the seats, as well.

    Kurland hit a one out double in the seventh and scored when Langford hit a double down the left field line on the next pitch. After moving to third on a passed ball, Langford crossed home on Caglianone’s groundout.

    Despite being armed with a huge lead, the Gators’ top three weren’t done. In the eighth, Langford hit a two-run double and Caglianone followed with his BBCOR-era record 33rd homer of the year.

    • Kurland: 2-3, 2B, 4 R, BB, 2 HBP
    • Langford: 5-5, HR, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 4 R, BB
    • Caglianone: 3-6, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R
    • Collectively: 10-14 (.714), 3 HR, 3 2B, 11 RBI, 11 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP

    The top of the Florida order was clutch when the Gators needed it most. As a result, the entire lineup fed off that energy and scored a CWS record 24 runs.

    The Gators will now face LSU in a winner take all contest Monday night. If Florida is going to win its second national championship, the top of the order is likely to need to come through in the clutch one more time this season.

  • CWS Finals Liveblog: Gators Facing Elimination

    CWS Finals Liveblog: Gators Facing Elimination

    Photo by Tyler Schank | Getty Images

    The Florida Gators are facing elimination for the first time since Regionals after suffering a 4-3 defeat to the LSU Tigers Saturday night in game one of the College World Series Championship Series.

    Florida entered postseason play as the nation’s No. 2 overall seed while the Bayou Bengals were named the No. 5 seed.

    We will be following all the action from my couch in Gainesville, FL. The game is set to begin at 3:00 PM ET.

    *Make sure to refresh the page for the most up to date information. Also, the newest posts will show up at the top of the liveblog, rather than at the bottom. (All times Eastern Time).

    — LIVEBLOG—

    Final: Gators 24, LSU 4

    The two teams will meet Monday night for the national championship.

    Bottom 9th

    • Beloso: H – groundout to first
    • (PH) Jones: BBFC – groundout to second
    • Jobert: SH- solo homer to center
    • (PH) Nippolt: CBFBH – groundout to first

    Top 9th

    • Riopelle: CSFH – solo homer run
    • (PH) Talbott: BBFBSS – strikeout swinging
    • Shelnut: BSBBH – single up the middle, scored
    • (PH) Prevesk: FBH – single, E9, scored Shelnut, scored
    • Halter: FCBBH – RBI single, scored
    • (PH) Thomas: BBBB – walk, scored
    • (PH) Robertson: BCBSBFB – walk
    • (PH) Fabian: CH – 2RBI single
    • Rivera: FFS – strikeout swinging
    • Riopelle: BCSS – strikeout swinging
    • 5 R, 5 H, 1 E, 1 LOB

    Florida sets the MCWS record for runs in a single game with 24!

    Through eight, Florida leads LSU 19-3.

    Bottom 8th

    • Parsons: CH – fly out to second
    • (PH) Kling: BCSB – single up the middle
    • (PH) Merrifield: H – lineout to left
    • (PH) Frey: SBFH – reached on E5
    • Dugas: FH – fielded choice
    • 0 R, 1 H, 1 E, 2 LOB

    Top 8th

    • Shelnut: BBBB – walk
    • Evans: FSFBH – single up the middle
    • Halter: BBBCH – flyout to left-center
    • Kurland: H – groundout to pitcher
    • Langford: FFH – two-run double
    • Caglianone: 2-run home run
    • Rivera: BCH – groundout to short

    Langford nearly gets the cycle but holds up at second. Caglianone hits homer #33 to break the BBCOR record in a single season.

    Through seven, Florida leads LSU 15-3.

    Bottom 7th

    • Beloso: CCBBFH – flyout to left
    • Travinski: H – groundout to third
    • Jobert: BCSX – HBP
    • Thompson: BSFS – strikeout swinging
    • O R, O H, O E, 1 LOB

    Top 7th

    • Halter: CBSBFS – strikeout swinging, scored
    • Kurland: BBSFH – double to left
    • Langford: H – RBI double
    • Pitching change – RHP Little
    • Caglianone: FBH – RBI groundout to first
    • Rivera: CH – single to left
    • Rivera steals second, advances to third E2
    • Riopelle: BBBCCB – walk
    • Heyman: BFBSBS – strikeout swinging
    • 2 R, 3 H, 1 E, 2 LOB

    Through six, Florida leads LSU 13-3.

    Bottom 6th

    • White: CH – groundout to third
    • Morgan: FCBBH – groundout to first
    • Dugas: CBBFFS – strikeout swinging
    • O R, O H, O E, O LOB

    Top 6th

    • Halter: FH – ground-rule double to right center, scored
    • Kurland: X – HBP, scored
    • Langford: SH – 3-run home run
    • Caglianone: SBH – Opposite Field HR
    • Rivera: FCH – Reached on E5, scored
    • Pitching change – RHP Money
    • Riopelle: BSSBBS – Strikeout swinging
    • Heyman: H – flyout to left
    • Shelnut: BSFH – RBI single
    • Evans: BBCFFFBH – groundout to pitcher
    • 5 R, 4 H, 1 E, 1 LOB

    Through five, Florida leads LSU 8-3.

    Bottom 5th

    • RHP Ficarrotta pitching for UF
    • Jobert: SBBCH – lineout to center
    • Thompson: BFBFBFH – flyout to center
    • Pearson: BCFBH – single to right
    • Crews: BFBFBH – groundout to third
    • 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

    Top 5th

    • RHP Collins pitching for LSU
    • Riopelle: BH – single to center
    • Heyman: CBH – lineout to center
    • Shelnut: BFFFH – lineout to center
    • Evans: CSFS – strikeout swinging
    • O R, 1 H, O E, O LOB

    Through four, Florida leads LSU 8-3.

    Bottom 4th

    • Morgan: BBCBB – walk
    • Dugas: BCH – 6-4-3 double play
    • Beloso: CBBBB – walk
    • Travinski: BCFBH – fielder’s choice
    • 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 1 LOB

    Top 4th

    • Kurland: BCBBB – walk, scored
    • Langford: FH – single to second
    • Caglianone: BBH – fielder’s choice, run scores on E6
    • LSU challenges slide into second (confirmed)
    • Rivera: BFSC – strikeout looking
    • Caglianone caught stealing
    • 1 R, 1 H, 1 E, 0 LOB

    Through three, Florida leads LSU 7-3.

    Bottom 3rd

    • Jobert: BBBCB – walk
    • Thompson: BCBFS – strikeout swinging
    • Pearson: CBBBFFFB – walk
    • Crews: CFFB – hit by pitch
    • Pitching change – RHP Blake Purnell
    • White: BH – 6-4-3 double play
    • O R, 0 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    Purnell induces the double play to end the threat. Gators lead 7-3.

    Top 3rd

    • Kurland: HBP, scored
    • Langford: CH – single to left, scored
    • Caglianone: H – RBI single to center, scored
    • Rivera: FSBH – RBI single, scored
    • Riopelle: CBBSC – strikeout looking
    • Heyman: CBH – reached on E-6, scored
    • Pitching change – RHP Gavin Guidry
    • Shelnut: SCS – strikeout swinging
    • Evans: H – Grand Slam
    • Halter: BSH – groundout to first
    • 6 R, 4 H, 1 E, 0 LOB

    Ty Evans hits a grand slam to put the Gators ahead 7-3.

    Through two, LSU leads Florida 3-1.

    Bottom 2nd

    • Thompson: BFH – liner out to center
    • Pearson: BBBB – walk, scored
    • Crews: H – single to left, scored
    • White: FFBBFFH – RBI single
    • Morgan: BH – sac fly
    • Dugas: HBP
    • Beloso: BSBBB – walk
    • Travinski: CSBBFFFFH – groundout to third
    • 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 3 LOB

    Waldrep escapes another bases loaded jam, but he surrendered two more run and LSU retakes the lead 3-1.

    Top 2nd

    • Heyman: CBFBS – strikeout swinging
    • Shelnut: CCS – strikeout swinging
    • Evans: CH – Solo Home Run
    • Halter: BBFH – flyout to right
    • 1 R, 1 H, 0 E, 0 LOB

    Ty Evans hits one down the left field line. He stood at the plate not knowing if it would stay fair. It did and the Gators tie the game at one.

    Through one, LSU leads Florida 1-0.

    Bottom 1st

    • Crews: BH – single to left, scored
    • White: BSFBS – strikeout swinging
    • Morgan: BBBCH – groundout to short
    • Dugas: BCBH – RBI double
    • Beloso: BBBB – walk
    • Travinski: BSCBBB – walk
    • Jobert: BBH – groundout to second
    • 1 R, 2 H, 0 E, 3 LOB

    Waldrep manages to get the Tigers to leave the bases loaded, but he does give up one run and throws 29 pitches.

    Top 1st

    • Kurland: SBFBBH – Legs out single
    • Langford: BBCBSB – Walk
    • Caglianone: CBH – Groundout to first
    • Rivera: BBCCS – strikeout swinging
    • Riopelle: BBFBFL – Strikeout looking
    • O R, 1 H, 0 E, 2 LOB

    Florida will serve as the ‘away’ team today.

    2:45 PM – Pitching Matchup:

    • UF: Waldrep (10-3, 3.99 ERA)
    • LSU: Ackenhausen (3-0, 2.86 ERA)

    2:40 PM – Florida’s lineup:

    2:30 PM – LSU has released their starting lineup for today’s game:

    1:50 PM – Check back at 2:30 PM for information on the starting lineup and any changes the Gators may make.

    1:48 PM – Obvious opinion, Florida’s 1-3 hitters have to be productive at the plate if Florida is going to win. As a team, the Gators are hitting just .214 since arriving in Omaha. The 1-3 hitters have gone just 8-52 (.154) in the College World Series. They have to play the role of catalyst.

    1:46 PM – The Gators will be starting RHP Hurston Waldrep who has absolutely dazzled in post-season play. He’s given up just one run in 21 innings and struck out 37 (15.9 K/9).

    1:45 PM – Florida arrived at Charles Schwab Field just after 1:00 PM.

  • SB: Gators Land Commitment From All-American OF Korbe Otis

    SB: Gators Land Commitment From All-American OF Korbe Otis

    Photo via Twitter @korbeotis

    Florida Gators head coach Tim Walton continues to turn around his team’s roster following a disappointing 2023 season. That continued Friday as Florida landed the commitment of 2023 All-American outfielder Korbe Otis out of the NCAA transfer portal.

    The Littleton, CO native spent her first two years of college at Louisville and found immediate success in the ACC.

    As a freshman, Otis hit .289 with five homers and 30 RBIs. She was named to the ACC’s All-Freshman team as a result.

    Instead of experiencing a “sophomore slump,” the talented outfielder turned in an exceptional campaign in 2023. Otis hit .414 (.502 OBP) and had twenty-two multi-hit games. She finished 18th in the nation (third in the ACC) with 75 hits. Additionally, she stole twenty-three bags in twenty four opportunities.

    Otis also hit ten home runs, recorded eight doubles and drove in 43 runs in 56 games.

    Softball America named Otis a first team All-American for her efforts in 2023. D1Softball named her to the All-American second team. The ACC First Team honoree was named the conference’s player of the week three times.

    Otis will have two years of eligibility remaining in Gainesville and should provide protection for returning SEC Player of the Year Skylar Wallace.

  • BSB: Gators Top TCU To Advance To CWS Finals

    BSB: Gators Top TCU To Advance To CWS Finals

    Photo by Michael Wade | Getty Images

    Florida’s Cade Kurland came up to bat with teammate Michael Robertson on third base and two down in the top of the ninth. Kurland was already 0-4 on the day and had been mired in a post-season slump.

    Kurland quickly found himself down 0-2 in the count. After fouling off a pitch, the Gators’ second baseman grounded the ball to the hole between short and third where it was fielded by TCU SS Anthony Silva, whose throw to first was not in time, allowing Robertson to score the go-ahead run.

    Brandon Neely pitched a perfect ninth, but not without drama, to close out the victory. Brayden Taylor looked to have gotten ahold of Neely’s 0-2 pitch, but a remarkable catch by Robertson in center ended the ballgame to send Florida to the College World Series finals for the fourth time in program history.

    How It Happened:

    Josh Rivera got things started out early as he hit a two run homer to left to put the Gators on top in the first inning.

    The Horned Frogs got one back in the bottom of the inning. Starting pitcher, Jac Caglianone ran into trouble in the first following a walk to Karson Bowen and a wild pitch that moved him into scoring position. The next batter, Taylor, singled to center that scored Bowen easily. TCU had an opportunity to add to it’s run total, but Caglianone struck out Silva with the bases loaded to escape the jam.

    TCU also had a chance in the fourth but a perfect relay by Josh Rivera threw out Kurtis Byrne at the plate on a single by Logan Maxwell.

    “Luckily I had enough time to set my feet to make a good throw home.” Rivera said of the play, “It was a tremendous tag by B.T., and it was just a great opportunity for us to get an out and not allow them to tie the game.”

    After allowing a one out single in the fifth, Caglianone was pulled for Ryan Slater. Despite loading the bases with one out, Slater got out of the inning unscathed.

    Slater pitched a perfect sixth inning before turning the game over to Cade Fisher. Fisher threw a perfect seventh and opened the eighth by recording a groundout before being pulled for Brandon Neely. The Florida closer allowed a one out single followed by an RBI double to even the score.

    With the game tied, Tyler Shelnut led off the ninth with a double and was pinch run for by Robertson. Robertson got to third base on Colby Halter’s flyout to right to set up Kurland’s at-bat.

    In total, Caglianone pitched just 4.1 innings allowing just three hits and walking three more. Additionally, he hit three batters and had two wild pitches. The Florida bullpen, though, allowed just one run in 4.2 innings of work.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Brandon Neely (3-4)
    • L: Ben Abeldt (3-4)

    Key Stats:

    • Rivera: 3-4, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, R
    • Heyman: 2-4
    • Shelnut: 2-4, 2B
    • UF Bullpen: 4.2 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 K, BB
    • UF: 5-14 with two outs

    On Deck:

    Florida advances to the College World Series finals where they will face either Wake Forest or LSU in a best of three series to determine the 2023 national champion.

    If LSU defeats Wake Forest, the two teams will play again tomorrow. If Wake Forest wins, they advance, as well.

    Florida defeated LSU in the championship series in 2017 for their only national championship.

    The championship series starts Saturday at 7:00 PM ET and will be aired on ESPN.

  • BSB: Gators Advance to NCAA Final Four With Win Over Oral Roberts

    BSB: Gators Advance to NCAA Final Four With Win Over Oral Roberts

    Photo by Michael Wade | Getty Images

    The Florida Gators are just three wins away from a College World Series title after holding off Oral Roberts, 5-4, Sunday.

    The Gators received another quality start from RHP Hurston Waldrep (W, 10-3) and saw several balls leave the yard with the winds blowing out.

    Waldrep finished six innings allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out 12. Cade Fisher recorded his second save of the season.

    “Overall the end result was good. And that’s all that matters. But took me a little bit to settle in,” Waldrep said after the game , “It’s a big stage. And obviously a lot of feelings — a lot of adrenaline and emotions that come with this game.”

    How It Happened:

    Florida got on the scoreboard early as Ty Evans crushed his second homer in as many at-bats that also plated Tyler Shelnut to make it 2-0.

    The Golden Eagles got one back in the bottom of the inning but failed to even the score or take the lead despite loading the bases.

    The Gators opened the game up with three runs in the top of the fourth. Josh Rivera hit a solo homer to increase the lead to 3-1. Two batters later, Luke Heyman belted his own home run, a two-run shot, that put Florida ahead 5-1.

    In the seventh, Ryan Slater took over on the mound. Slater gave up a one out walk but ran into trouble two batters later as Matt Hogan recorded an inside-the-park home run to make it 5-3. Florida would turn to Brandon Neely to record the final out of the seventh.

    The bottom of the eighth proved to be an odd one. Following a two-out walk to load the bases, Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan trotted to the mound to talk to his closer. However, the Gators had already used their allotment of mound visits which forced Neely to be removed from the game.

    Florida had to turn to freshman Cade Fisher, who had not warmed up prior to being inserted into the game. Fisher promptly recorded the final out to escape the jam.

    “It was totally my mistake. And no one feels more terrible about it than I do,” O’Sullivan said of the situation, “I apologized to them at the end of the game. They just said they had my back.”

    Oral Roberts got one back in the ninth on a bases loaded fielder’s choice, but Fisher got Jacob Godman to fly out to center to end the game and put Florida into the Final Four of the College World Series.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Hurston Waldrep (10-3)
    • L: Harley Gollert (10-2)
    • S: Cade Fisher (2)

    Key Stats:

    • Gators: 135 home runs, sets program record (1998)
    • ORU: 13 LOB
    • Evans: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, HBP
    • Rivera: 1-4, HR, RBI
    • Heyman: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
    • Waldrep: 6 IP, 7 H, ER, 12 K, 3 BB

    On Deck:

    Florida advances to the Final Four and will face the winner of Tuesday’s elimination game between Oral Roberts and TCU (who eliminated Virginia Sunday). The game is scheduled for 2:00 PM ET and will air live on ESPN.

  • Gators Land Four Blue Chip Commitments

    Gators Land Four Blue Chip Commitments

    Photo by David Rosenblum | Getty Images

    Within hours of the announcement that Ole Miss had flipped 2025 QB prospect Austin Simmons (who is reclassifying to the 2023 cycle), the Florida Gators went on a ridiculous hot streak as four blue chip prospects announced their commitments on social media Saturday.

    Four-star TE Amir Jackson was the first to announce his commitment to Billy Napier’s program Saturday. The 6’5, 210 lb prospect has also played safety and wide receiver at Portal High in Georgia. Per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Jackson is the nation’s No. 108 overall prospect and the No. 8 ATH in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

    Florida followed that by adding it’s first commitment to the defensive line in 4-star DL Amaris Williams. The Clinton, NC prospect announced his commitment to the Gators at Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille while speaking on his official visit. Williams spoke highly of Florida LB Coach Jay Bateman and the “home” vibes he received on his visit. Williams is the No. 186 overall prospect and No. 23 ranked DL in the 2024 class.

    Nasir Johnson, a four-star DL out of Dublin, GA, announced his commitment to Florida just a couple hours later. Johnson is rated the No. 250 overall prospect and No. 30 DL in the 2024 cycle. A 6’5, 300 lb prospect, Johnson played both sides of the ball in high school lining up as right tackle on the offensive line in addition to his defensive line duties. Bateman was his primary recruiter, as well.

    https://twitter.com/NasirJohnson56/status/1670227635685801985

    Bateman wasn’t done, yet, though. He also managed to lure Top-100 prospect Aaron Chiles, a linebacker out of Olney, MD, to announce his commitment. Chiles is rated a 4-star prospect with a national ranking of 80 and a position ranking of six. He’s also the top rated prospect from Maryland. In 2022, he recorded ten sacks and forced a pair of fumbles in addition to 74 total tackles.

    The big day on the trail propelled the Gators to No. 8 in the national rankings for the 2024 class. Additionally, there have been hints on social media that Florida may be set to add more to its class before the weekend expires.

    Jay Bateman has moved up to the second ranked recruiter in the nation for 2024 as he’s played a large role in a total of six commitments for Florida in the cycle (so far).

    These four prospects join a class that includes: 5-star QB DJ Lagway (Willis, TX), 5-star S Xavier Filsaime (McKinney, TX), 4-star LB Adarius Hayes (Largo, FL), 4-star LB Myles Graham, 4-star WR Izaiah Williams (Tampa, FL), 4-star RB Kahnen Daniels (West Point, MS), 3-star S Josiah Davis (Nashville, GA), 3-star OT Mike Williams (Upper Marlboro, MD), and unrated OL Noel Portnjagin (Germany).

    *All rankings are based on 247Sports and their composite rankings.

  • BSB: Gators Walk Off Virginia in Wild CWS Opener

    BSB: Gators Walk Off Virginia in Wild CWS Opener

    Photo by Michael Wade | Getty Images

    The Florida Gators had already stuck for one run in the bottom of the ninth inning on a leadoff homer by Ty Evans when Wyatt Langford dug into the batter’s box Friday evening.

    Ahead in the count 1-0, Langford saw a change-up from UVA pitcher Jake Berry and absolutely crushed the ball to left and celebrated immediately as he began his trot around the bases after tying the game at 5.

    Four batters later, Luke Heyman skied a pop-fly to center that allowed Jac Caglianone to score easily from third base to clinch a wild, walk-off win for Florida.

    “After Ty’s home run, and even before that, we all knew we were going to win that game. It’s just a matter of doing my part,” said Langford of his approach at the plate in the ninth inning.

    The Gators received a strong start from RHP Brandon Sproat who opened with six scoreless innings before allowing the first three hitters he faced in the seventh to reach (and eventually score).

    Sproat was relieved by Cade Fisher after 109 pitches. Fisher immediately recorded the second out of the inning before a two-run double and single scored three more runs to put the Cavaliers ahead 4-1. Brandon Neely entered the game and closed the door on Virginia in the seventh.

    Florida got one back in the bottom of the frame on an RBI groundout by Cade Kurland. But, the Gators left the bases loaded and it appeared they were headed towards defeat.

    The Gators scratched back and made it a one run game in the eighth as C BT Riopelle went opposite field for his seventh homer in postseason play to make it 4-3.

    In the top of the ninth, the ‘Hoos added an insurance run thanks to an RBI triple by Harrison Didawick.

    All this to setup the dramatic finish.

    “Virginia played us really good, didn’t give us anything,” head coach Kevin O’Sullivan said after the game, “[I’m] proud of these guys, the way they hung in there.”

    Getting Started:

    Florida got on the scoreboard first with a one out, RBI single by Colby Halter that scored Riopelle in the second inning.

    The Gators 1-4 hitters were a combined 0-13 with three walks prior to the ninth inning.

    Pitching Decision:

    • W: Brandon Neely (1-2)
    • L: Jake Berry (0-5)

    Key Stats:

    • Riopelle: 2-3, HR, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 R
    • Evans: 2-2, HR, 2B, RBI, R
    • Sproat: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 7 K, 3 BB
    • Neely: 2.1 IP, H, ER, K, BB (Win)

    On Deck:

    Florida will face Oral Roberts in the winner’s bracket Sunday evening in Omaha. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. The game is scheduled to be broadcast live on ESPN.

    The Golden Eagles came back with a four run ninth to defeat TCU 6-5 in the earlier game Friday.

  • BSB: Florida’s Waldrep in a zone for tournament

    BSB: Florida’s Waldrep in a zone for tournament

    Photo by Michael Wade | Getty Images

    Florida Gators baseball is back in the Men’s College World Series. It’s first appearance in Omaha since 2018 and 13th overall. They’re already in Omaha gearing up for a big first game matchup Friday night against the Virginia Cavaliers.

    “We have a special group,” Head Coach Kevin O’Sullivan said about his team. “We’ve been resilient the entire year. We won the (SEC) regular season with Arkansas, which is not easy to do. And now we’re in a position to go to the World Series. Just such a great group effort, and we’re excited about the opportunity.”

    The Gators have Hurston Waldrep to thank for that opportunity. If we can, let’s go back and look at the junior’s dominant super regional start.

    For the second straight appearance this tournament, Waldrep turned in an elite performance. He was vital to the 4-0 win in a series-clinching Game 2 of the Gainesville Super Regional against South Carolina.

    “It was the best stuff he’s had all year,” catcher BT Riopelle said. “He put his complete arsenal on display from pitch one. That kid’s going to make a lot of money, but hopefully he can make himself some more money in Omaha.”

    He was in the ninth inning with 13 strikeouts on the board and no runs. Two hits and two walks to his name. He was in full control. The only thing that kept him from a complete game shutout was an eventual infield single by Braylen Wimmer.

    Hours before that he threw the worst bullpen session of the season. Good thing those don’t mean anything.

    Big on the breaking ball

    The righty and first-round MLB prospect sliced and diced his way through the Gamecocks’ lineup for a career-high eight-plus innings. Everyone hears about the splitter but the real key Saturday was his slider. South Carolina’s Mark Kingston described Waldrep’s deliveries at 65 percent offspeed in his start.

    “It changes the way my fastball plays and so I don’t have to rely heavily on my fastball,” Waldrep said. “I can use it a lot more freely later in counts, middle of counts. So, just having the slider in the back pocket, they know it’s there. They know I can land it. So it’s a gamechanger for sure.”

    By my count, Waldrep threw his slider approximately 28 percent of the time against South Carolina. Most of the time it was early in the pitch count whether 0-0, 0-1 or 1-0 plus a good portion at 2-2. The only pitch with more usage than the slider was the fastball (~37 percent).

    Riopelle said the effective usage of Waldrep’s slider really completes the righty’s repertoire. He said one pitch can really determine how the rest of a guy’s arsenal will play along with helping determine the right slot and release point.

    “It’s shown in his last couple starts, we’ve really started to mix his slider in more as an out pitch and for a pitch for strikes, not just a curveball,” Riopelle said. Kind of reversing those, so, using them in all counts. He did a tremendous job.”

    The most strikes Waldrep had in a game prior to supers this season was 66 of 112 pitches in a April 21 loss to the Gamecocks. In the rematch he threw 76 strikes and with just five more total pitches than on April 21.

    That’s a 65 percent strike percentage. The only times he’s had higher was in four innings against Siena (52/77) and in five innings against Charleston Southern (55/77).

    The slider accounted for 19 of them. Over half of his sliders induced a strike in the form of a whiff, a called strike, a foul or a ball in play without a single hit recorded on it.

    Let’s do some math

    It’s the second time this postseason where he needed to be at his best as Florida wanted to avoid a winner-take-all Game 3 scenario. Just like how he needed to bring it for Florida to stave off elimination against UConn.

    His dozen strikeouts in that game plus the baker’s dozen in the super regional amounted to his second-highest strikeout total across two games this season. His highest came with 13 against Cincinnati and a career-high 14 versus Miami in his second and third starts of the season.

    That’s a K/9 of 15(!!) Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider currently leads Major League Baseball at 14.5. Waldrep’s for the season No. 4 in the NCAA at 13.69 while LSU’s Paul Skenes leads everyone at 15.81 (Bonkers).

    He posted a then-season-high game score (sabermetric designed to measure a pitcher’s performance) of 73 out of 100 facing the Huskies. For reference, 50 and a little over is considered an “average” score. Skenes in his regional start against Tulane had 77.

    Against the Gamecocks? A whopping 87.

    Not only that but his season fielding independent pitching (FIP) dropped from 3.81 to 3.58 from the start just like how his season earned run average went from 4.54 to 4.15. Those numbers were 4.08 and 4.83 prior to the UConn start, respectively.

    FIP is used as a way of measuring a pitcher’s effectiveness by evaluating things he can control like home runs, walks, hit batters, strikeouts and innings pitched. The formula can seen below with the FIP constant being 3.6 based on SEC pitching stats.

    All this to say…

    He shoved. Look at whatever numbers you want but the junior Southern Miss transfer was nearly unstoppable in his eight-plus innings.

    Plus he did it all in front of a strong contingent watching comprised of family, friends and even high school coaches from his hometown of Thomasville, Georgia.

    “They haven’t been able to make it to many games,” Waldrep said. “So for them to be here and to play in front of them and see them: that’s awesome. After the game, they all come running down on the field and I think I hugged every single one of them a million times.”

    Not to mention if the Gainesville Regional was redemption for this Florida team in 2022, then Waldrep’s outing against the Gamecocks was redemption for his last appearance in a super regional.

    There will be many more eyes watching the Gators and him at Charles Schwab Field during the final act of the college baseball season whether in-person or through a screen.

    If the Gators can get consistent starts from Waldrep along with Friday night man Brandon Sproat plus a bullpen that seems to have found itself then Florida should have an extended stay in its hotel in Omaha.

  • BSB: Yoel Tejeda, Jr. Announces Transfer to Florida State

    BSB: Yoel Tejeda, Jr. Announces Transfer to Florida State

    Photo by James Gilbert | Getty Images

    Florida RHP Yoel Tejeda, Jr. announced his commitment to rival Florida State via Twitter Monday.

    Earlier in the day, Jacob Rudner, of 247Sports, reported that Tejeda and Carsten Finnvold had entered the transfer portal.

    The transfer surprised many as Tejeda competed in eight games including six starts as he took over the mid-week role nearly midway through the season. The Gators will be losing their Friday and Saturday starters to the draft (both Brandon Sproat and Hurston Waldrep are projected as first round picks) and Tejeda appeared to be a front-runner for one of the weekend rotation spots.

    As a 19-year old freshman, the 6’8 righty threw 22.2 innings while claiming a 2-0 record. He struck out eleven but walked twelve while maintaining a 5.56 ERA.

    Tejeda was one of the top prospects out of high school and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2022 MLB Draft. As a senior at North Broward Prep in Davie, he was named an All-American, finishing 8-0 with a 1.83 ERA and 90 strikeouts over 61 innings.

    The Gators signed seven high school pitchers in the 2023 recruiting cycle.