Jac Caglianone sets new career high in strikeouts in win vs. Miami

Florida star Jac Caglianone showed why he is one of the best two-way players in college baseball on Sunday. Caglianone got the start at pitcher and earned the win, setting a new career high with 11 strikeouts in an 8-4 victory against Miami.

Caglianone pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits before ending his day on the mound. That wasn’t his only contribution, however, as he also went 3-for-5 at the plate, including hitting a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning.

CAGS FANS THE SIDE 🚫

That's a career-high 🔟 strikeouts!#GoGators // 📺 https://t.co/98eJMkRYDC pic.twitter.com/szNXLF0bk7

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 3, 2024

You hang it, we bang it.#GoGators // 📺 https://t.co/98eJMkRYDC pic.twitter.com/NQdMrtc1YY

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) March 3, 2024

The home run was the fourth of the season for Caglianone, ranking him second on the team through 11 games. He is also third with 18 strikeouts across nine innings and a 3.00 ERA.

Florida slowly built up its lead and held a 6-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. However, the Hurricanes hit a grand slam to make it 6-4 after Dorian Gonzalez Jr. homered to left center.

That put the pressure on the Gators to close things out in the final inning and they answered the call. Colby Shelton hit his second home run of the afternoon to drive in two runs and give Florida some extra cushion as they led 8-4.

The defense took care of business in the bottom of the inning as the Hurricanes went three up, three down to end the game. Florida won the three-game series against Miami 2-1 with the victory.

Caglianone is coming off of a season in which he was named both a first team All-SEC selection and a first team All-American. He broke the Gators’ single-season record with 33 home runs while also setting a record with 90 RBI. As a pitcher, he made 18 weekend starts and went 7-4 with a 4.34 ERA, .190 BAA and 87 strikeouts in 74.2 innings.

Caglianone was named the Preseason Two-Way Player of the Year and has so far lived up to that billing in the young season. He’s sure to continue to be a leader for Florida, which is aiming to reach the College World Series for the second straight season.

The Gators improved to 8-3 with the win against Miami and currently rank No. 4 in the D1 Baseball top 25. They will next take on Florida Atlantic at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday before hosting UCF on Wednesday.

After that, Florida will take part in a three-game series against Saint Mary’s beginning Friday.