Florida stages late comeback to secure walk-off win over Virginia at College World Series

The first day at the College World Series has produced two absolutely terrific baseball games, both involving some wild swings in the ninth inning. A pair of Florida home runs in the bottom of the ninth saved the game against Virginia for the Gators, knotting things up at 5-5.

The Gators would go on to win 6-5 in walk-off fashion, building off the momentum of the two home runs.

Florida went into the inning trailing 5-3 before getting a contribution from an unlikely place.

Right fielder Ty Evans started things off in the leadoff spot to open the bottom of the ninth inning. He saw three pitches, then blasted a solo home run to left field to cut the Florida deficit to 5-4. Evans had only four home runs all season prior to his dinger at the College World Series.

After missing a catch that allowed a run to score, Ty Evans redeems himself with a bomb to cut it to 1!

The Gators were not done! pic.twitter.com/DohvznzSbT

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 17, 2023

Second baseman Cade Kurland struck out looking for the first out of the inning, raising the stakes for the Gators.

Do-it-all outfielder Wyatt Langford made sure the tension would lift moments later. He saw one pitch and then hammered a ball over the left field wall, a no-doubter that tied the game 5-5 and had Langford tossing his bat and celebrating within seconds.

Wyatt Langford absolutely OBLITERATES this baseball (456', 112 mph EV) to tie the game at 5! Thunderous swing from the likely top-5 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/K9RekCc8dX

— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 17, 2023

The two solo slams seemed to sap the life out of Virginia in the College World Series opener.

The Cavaliers simply couldn’t put it back together on the mound, eventually loading the bases with just one out. The Gators would take full advantage, with designated hitter Luke Heyman serving as the hero.

Heyman launched a ball to center field, deep enough to serve as a sacrifice fly and plate the winning run.

THE. MOMENT.

LUKE HEYMAN!!!#GoGators // 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/WEhMzhGDkE

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 17, 2023

With the 6-5 win, Florida advances to face Oral Roberts on Sunday in the winner’s bracket, while Virginia heads to the loser’s bracket to take on TCU in an elimination game.

Oral Roberts topped TCU 6-5 in the first game of the day at the College World Series.