Florida dominates Kentucky, continues avoiding elimination at College World Series

With their backs against the wall once again the Florida Gators have delivered when it matters most, eliminating Kentucky from the College World Series in a dominant 15-4 win on Wednesday morning after their matchup was postponed the day before.

The Gators win their fifth straight elimination game of the NCAA Tournament after scratching and clawing to make the cut at the end of the regular season. Keeping their season alive once again in a similar fashion to last year when they won four elimination games before falling to LSU in the national championship final in Omaha.

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Florida got offense their offense going early, making a change to their batting order with two-way star Jac Caglianone leading off their lineup in a move that ended up paying off. With Caglianone starting off the game with a leadoff double that would spark a seven-run first inning highlighted by a grand slam from designated hitter Brody Donay. Who ended the game with two home runs and five RBIs.

“Just trying to go up there, putting a quality at-bat up for my team,” Donay said. “Just doing the best you can to flip the lineup over and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Caglianone had Florida’s other home run on the day, which happened to be a record-breaker. Blasting a solo shot in the sixth inning to set a new Florida career home run record with 75 homers amid his third season with the program.

Lefty redshirt sophomore Pierce Coppola got the start at pitcher for Florida and pitched a career-high five innings against the Wildcats. Giving up four hits and four runs but protecting the Gators’ lead throughout his outing. Recording the first win on the mound of his career and also striking out a career-high nine batters on college baseball’s biggest stage.

Jake Clemente and Alex Philpott would pitch in relief for Coppola and shut Kentucky out, not allowing a single run and just one hit between the two along with seven combined strikeouts.

Kentucky’s historic season comes to an end after entering the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 national seed. Making it to the College World Series for the first time in program history after sweeping in the Regionals and Supers.

Florida will now look to keep their momentum going in yet another elimination game, facing off against Texas A&M at 7:00 p.m. to complete their double header.