Florida sophomore Ty Evans talks about surviving against Oral Roberts in CWS matchup

The Florida Gators’ baseball team certainly gave their fans several anxiety-inducing moments in the closing innings on Sunday night in the 2023 College World Series. While they made their fans incredibly nervous in the final two innings, the Gators managed to hang on in the bottom of the ninth inning, pulling out a stressful 5-4 win in a highly entertaining affair. Their matchup against Oral Roberts did not disappoint and it came down all the way down to the final out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Florida once again got a great game from their sophomore, Ty Evans, who blasted a two-run shot in the second inning against the Golden Flashes.

He’s managed to find freon coursing through his veins during the Gators’ two games in Omaha. Following the nerve-wracking victory for the Gators, Evans spoke about how stressful the end of the game was.

Ty Evans discussed his emotions in the final few innings

“It was a little stressful. That’s for sure,” Evans began. “But I mean, [Cade Fisher] competed all year long. Everyone in the dugout has confidence in him. Everyone on the field has confidence in him. So, at the end of the day, he did his job. A little sketchy, but he got it done.”

Fisher survived an extremely stressful final two innings. Florida was leading Oral Roberts 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Golden Flashes got the bases loaded. That’s when Florida had to pull their All-American closer Brandon Neely, from the game because the Gators’ head coach, Kevin O’Sullivan, lost track of mound visits.

Then they had to send their freshman, Cade Fisher, to the mound without warming up, but the Gators ended up escaping the eighth inning without giving up any more runs. Oral Roberts had the game-tying run at third base in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Fisher was able to get Jacob Godman to fly out to deep center field, ending the game.

What has been the difference and the mindset for Ty Evans in the College World Series? “I mean, everyone, all the coaches just tell us to wrap our mind around the team. When you focus on the team and try to win the ballgame and not focus on yourself, it really helps everybody out on the team,” Evans said.

He’s stepped up in the biggest of moments during the Gators’ last two games in the College World Series. Evans has only hit six home runs during the 2023 campaign, but he’s delivered two of them in Omaha–one of them against the Virginia Cavaliers and the other against Oral Roberts on Sunday night.

Evans has been in and out of the lineup. It could be difficult for players to keep their mindset ready and locked in for any game. He mentioned after the game that his conversations with his teammates and coaches have helped to keep him locked in and prepared for anything. “I mean, nothing, really. They just kinda told me to be ready. You know, be a good teammate. Do everything you can do. Everyone on the bench, on the field. We all play a role. So, we know when our name and number’s called, we gotta be ready to go,” Evans said.

Sunday night’s game was just another example of what a great 2023 College World Series it’s been so far for college baseball fans around the country.

With the win, Florida became the first team in Omaha to win two games. They currently sit at 2-0 in the 2023 College World Series, with their previous win being a 6-5 comeback against the Virginia Cavaliers. The Gators are officially one win away from playing for the national crown.

For a full look at the Day 4 action in the 2023 College World Series, check out the schedule here from On3’s Chandler Vessels.