Brody Donay grand slam helps Florida build 1st-inning advantage on Kentucky in CWS elimination game

Things started about as well as possible for Florida in an elimination game against Kentucky at the 2024 Men’s College World Series on Wednesday morning. Before Kentucky could muster a second out in the bottom of the 1st, the Gators held a 7-1 lead by virtue of a Brody Donay grand slam.

Already leading 3-1 and having chased Kentucky starting pitcher Dominic Niman after 23 pitches, Florida had the bases loaded when Donay stepped in against relief pitcher Cameron O’Brien. But the tide would not be stemmed, as Donay sent a pitch just over the fence at the right field bullpen.

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GRAND SALAMI 🙌 @BrodyDonay #MCWS x 🎥 ESPN / @GatorsBB pic.twitter.com/jq3kHAwH64

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 19, 2024

And Donay’s grand slam from the No. 8 spot in the lineup set the Gators up to bat around in the bottom of the 1st.

The Gators were already up 3-1 when Donay stepped in by virtue of some aggressive base running from the top of the lineup. Leading off for the first time in his career, star Jac Caglianone took second bsae on a lead off single when the ball was bobbled in the outfield.

He’d then score on a double that placed runners on second and third base, who would then score on a one-out single from catcher Luke Heyman.

With the crooked number, Florida became just the 8th team in MCWS history to score 7 or more runnings in the 1st inning of a game.

2024 NCAA College World Series: Bracket, game times, TV

All times ET.

June 14

• Game 1: North Carolina 3, Virginia 2
• Game 2: Tennessee 12, Florida State 11

June 15

• Game 3: Kentucky 5, NC State 4 (10 innings)
• Game 4: Texas A&M 3, Florida 2

June 16

• Game 5: Florida State 7, Virginia 3 | Virginia is eliminated
• Game 6: Tennessee 6, North Carolina 1

June 17

• Game 7: Florida 5, NC State 4 | NC State is eliminated
• Game 8: Texas A&M 5, Kentucky 1

June 18

• Game 9: Florida State 9, North Carolina 5 | North Carolina is eliminated

June 19

• Game 10: Florida vs. Kentucky, 11 a.m. | ESPN
• Game 11: Tennessee vs. Florida State, 3 p.m. | ESPN
• Game 12: Texas A&M vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN

June 20

• Game 13 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | TBD
• Game 14 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | TBD

June 22

• MCWS Final Game 1: TBD vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

June 23

• MCWS Final Game 2: TBD vs. TBD, 2 p.m. | ABC

June 24

• MCWS Final Game 3 (if necessary): TBD vs. TBD, 7 p.m. | ESPN